{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,3]],"date-time":"2026-09-03T14:08:05Z","timestamp":1788444485729,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":15,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"13","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,3]],"date-time":"2025-07-03T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1751500800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["JCM"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: The potential advantages of robotic assistance in spinal procedures are a growing area of interest, and patient perception plays a key role in its broader acceptance. However, public perception of robotic surgery in spinal operations remains unexplored. This study aims to assess the general public\u2019s perceptions, expectations, and concerns regarding robot-assisted spine surgery. Methods: In the fall of 2024, a questionnaire was distributed to attendees at a public open day at the Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, where the Globus ExcelsiusGPS\u2122 spine surgery robot was demonstrated live on a mannequin. The 15-item questionnaire assessed demographic data, prior knowledge of medical robots, mental representations of surgical robots, expectations, and emotions after witnessing the demonstration. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, Wilcoxon, McNemar tests, and logistic regression analysis. Results: A total of 109 questionnaires were collected. Most participants were female (64.4%) and had no direct experience with spinal pathology (79.8%). While 87.2% were aware of robotic surgery in general, only 65.1% specifically knew about its use in spine surgery. After witnessing the live demonstration, 81.9% felt reassured by the robot\u2032s presence in surgery, compared to 61.3% before the demonstration (p = 0.007). Preference for robot-assisted surgery increased from 50.5% to 64.5% (p &lt; 0.001). Notably, individuals with back-related issues showed greater confidence in the robot\u2019s capabilities (p = 0.032). Conclusions: The general public perceives robotic spine surgery positively, viewing it as faster, more precise, and capable of performing tasks not readily performed by humans. The study highlights the importance of live demonstrations in enhancing trust and acceptance of robotic systems. Its findings have economic implications, as patients may be more likely to choose hospitals offering robot-assisted spine surgery. However, it is essential to also acknowledge alternative methods, such as computer-assisted navigation, which has demonstrated efficacy in spine surgery.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/jcm14134719","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,3]],"date-time":"2025-07-03T08:22:07Z","timestamp":1751530927000},"page":"4719","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":2,"title":["Public Perception of Robot-Assisted Spine Surgery"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"14","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4690-1712","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Luca","family":"Fumagalli","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Neurosurgery Department, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0007-7444-384X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alexandros","family":"Moniakis","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neurosurgery Department, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7241-0111","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alberto","family":"Pagnamenta","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Clinical Trial Unit, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"},{"name":"Division of Pneumology, University Hospital of Geneva, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7349-3753","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Andrea","family":"Cardia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neurosurgery Department, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-3875-0355","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Ivan","family":"Cabrilo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Neurosurgery Department, Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,3]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Aymerich-Franch, L., and G\u00f3mez, E. 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Surg."}],"container-title":["Journal of Clinical Medicine"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/14\/13\/4719\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T18:03:55Z","timestamp":1760033035000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2077-0383\/14\/13\/4719"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,3]]},"references-count":15,"journal-issue":{"issue":"13","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,7]]}},"alternative-id":["jcm14134719"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/jcm14134719","relation":{},"ISSN":["2077-0383"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2077-0383","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,7,3]]}}}