St. Mary's Hospital debuts spine surgery robot
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Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital last month debuted a spine surgery robot – making it one of just four hospitals in the country to use the robot for such surgery.
The minimally invasive surgery with Globus Medical's robotic guidance and navigation system ExcelsiusGPSTM was performed by spine surgeon Jed S. Vanichkachorn Nov. 13 at St. Mary's. The hospital is training additional surgeons to perform these procedures with this technology, which is designed to optimize patient recovery.
“We are excited that St. Mary’s is the first hospital to introduce this new technology to our spine surgery program and to our community,” said Francine Barr, CEO of St. Mary’s Hospital. “Patients in the Richmond area now have the most innovative options when it comes to their spinal surgery choices."
Surgeon Thomas Scioscia also is trained to perform procedures using the ExcelsiusGPS. The technology is the latest robotic guidance system for spine and brain surgery approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
The ExcelsiusGPS platform technology is designed to increase the safety and accuracy of minimally invasive spine surgery, minimize radiation exposure, streamline workflow and reproducibly assist in implant placement.
“Overall, patients who undergo a minimally invasive surgery may benefit from less postoperative pain, smaller incisions and minimal scars, a shorter hospitalization and faster recovery time,” Barr said.
ExcelsiusGPS provides improved visualization of patient anatomy throughout the procedure to help optimize patient treatment. One of the most significant clinical advantages of ExcelsiusGPS, according to Bon Secours officials, is the combination of robotic guidance and navigation. Robotic guidance involves the placement of instruments and implants through a rigid robotic arm that orients the surgeon along a predetermined, guided pathway. Navigation provides continuous feedback and real-time visualization of instrument and implant positioning with respect to patient anatomy.
