Robotics for approaches to the anterior cranial fossa

Minimally invasive skull base approaches relying on microscopes, endoscopes, and/or exoscopes have become a surgical workhorse for pathologies of the anterior skull base. Surgical robotics has recently been adopted for applications not limited to oncological operations in the abdominal/pelvic and head and neck areas and has tremendous potential in skull base surgery in the anterior cranial fossa. In this chapter, we present a brief historical perspective on anterior cranial fossa operations followed by an in-depth exploration of current developments in robotic surgery as applied to pathologies of the anterior cranial fossa. Both clinical and cadaveric studies are included for discussion of anatomical approaches and surgical indications. Finally, current limitations and future directions are explored to identify avenues that could one day allow robotic surgery to become the workhorse of skull base surgery within the anterior cranial fossa.