Robotic Spine Surgery
Robotic surgery, sometimes called robot-assisted surgery, is a surgical method which entails manipulating small tools with a robotic arm.
Robotic surgery offers the same benefits of minimally invasive surgery (e.g., smaller incisions, less tissue disruption and bleeding) but with added advantages to the surgeon (e.g., greater ease, increased visibility and confidence). Thus, patient outcomes are vastly improved.
Renaissance® Guidance System
Utilizing Mazor Robotics Renaissance® Guidance System in a spine program can improve the execution and outcome of a wide variety of spine procedures, including:
- Biopsy
- Adult reconstructive surgery
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Scoliosis surgery
- Spinal fusion
- Vertebroplasty
According to Mazor, “This clinically validated technology has been successfully used in both routine and complex cases in thousands of spine procedures worldwide, including over 50,000 implants.”
The Mazor Robotics Renaissance® is specially designed for implanting devices during spine surgery. It allows the surgeon to utilize CT (computerized tomography) images for guidance. The “blueprint” developed from these images creates a precision plan before the surgeon enters the operating room (OR). Once inside the OR, the surgeon performs the actual surgery with instruments guided by the robot system.
The robot itself is comprised of an arm attached to a fixture about the size of a 12-oz. beverage can. The arm can bend and rotate to enable its ultra-precise implant placement. This is particularly important when working through small incisions or in cases of complex anatomical procedures, such as spinal deformity.
Benefits for patients include:
- Faster recovery
- Reduced post-operative pain
- Lowered complication rates
- Increased accuracy
Benefits for surgeons include:
- Improved patient outcomes
- Reduced fluoroscopy (which lessens radiation exposure)
- Increased accuracy for peace of mind
The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders
The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders joins the small percentage of spine surgeons, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers that have the training and facilities to perform robotic spine surgery. Prior to our acquisition, New Jersey had only two such institutions. While each case is of course individually evaluated, robotics can be of great assistance, particularly in more complicated procedures or in cases in which the goal is to minimize invasive surgery.
At The Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders, we employ robotic surgery when appropriate, and we are excited to offer this option to our patients. Please contact us with any questions or concerns. As always, we look forward to assisting you to achieve the best in spinal health.