Evaluating Force and Motion in Posterior Vitreous Detachment Manoeuvres Using a Robotic Data Acquisition System in Cadaveric Human Eyes

Deep vitrectomy, a complex ophthalmic procedure, requires significant surgical skill. This study evaluated the ARASH:ASiST robotic system for real-time, quantifiable assessment of deep vitrectomy in a pre-clinical setting using cadaveric human eyes. Four surgeons, with varying experience levels, performed procedures while intraoperative force, positional, and temporal data were recorded. Analysis of seven surgical datasets revealed experience-specific differences in force application, particularly during posterior vitreous detachment induction, which emerged as a key performance metric. Time data provided insights into surgeon control. The system's real-time graphical user interface offered immediate feedback and facilitated postoperative analysis. Usability assessments confirmed the system's practicality and non-intrusiveness. The ARASH:ASiST system demonstrates potential as an objective platform for evaluating and understanding surgical skill in deep vitrectomy, offering a novel approach to surgical training and assessment.