ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the clinical usefulness, accuracy, and safety of tele-manipulation for frameless stereotactic surgery using the CAS-R-5 robot system.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We prospectively evaluated 32 patients underwent tele-manipulation of frameless stereotactic operations from Sep. 2005 to Sep. 2006. Tele-manipulations were performed via a digital data network by a neurosurgeon in Beijing while the patients were located in Yan'an. The distance is 1300 kilometers away. The accuracy of location and improvement of symptom were observed after operation. The period of follow-up was from 3 to 14 months (the average was 12 months).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The surgical operations in 32 cases were successful. Remote fiducial registration was performed with a mean accuracy of 1. 50 mm and the standard difference were 0.32 mm between the planned and actual target. There were no complications.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Diagnosis and treatment for intracranial disease by tele-manipulation frameless stereotactic surgeries are reliable and safe.</p>