Every so often, a technological advance or discovery will revolutionize an industry, radically changing the way things are done, as well as changing expectations for success. The emergence of robotic-assisted surgery is having this kind of effect on the field of spine surgery, giving physicians a powerful tool to reduce surgical impact and improve patient outcomes. Here are a few ways robotics are changing spine surgery for the better.
Accurate placement of implants is of critical importance in a spinal procedure. Prior to robotics, even the steadiest surgeon’s hands averaged a placement accuracy rate of 91 percent. With robotics, a combination of GPS-based mapping technology and precise calculations have improved placement accuracy rates to about 98 percent.
In days past, spine surgery usually required a hospital stay, although minimally invasive procedures have made outpatient surgeries more common in recent years. Robotics make these minimally invasive procedures even less invasive, resulting in smaller incisions, reduced tissue damage and faster recovery times. Most surgical patients using robotics can go home the same day, and they can typically resume their normal routines sooner.
Robotics utilize advanced mapping technologies that help streamline the surgical procedure itself, potentially shortening surgery times and reducing the amount of time the patient must be under anesthesia.
Accurate placement and smaller incisions mean a reduced risk of infection and complications for the patient. In addition, robotic-assisted surgery allows for reduced exposure to radiation during the procedure, which is safer for both patients and caregivers.
Simply put, the improved accuracy and reduced impact of robotic spine surgery mean procedures have a much better rate of success. Patient outcomes are greatly improved as a result.
From a logistics standpoint, robotics are changing the methodologies by which physicians perform spinal procedures. From an overall health standpoint, they stand to raise the bar of excellence substantially, making these procedures much safer and more successful. To learn more about robotic-assisted surgery at Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center, call us at 404-256-2633.
