Spinal Screw Placements with ExcelsiusGPS

Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center Blog Spinal Screw Placements with ExcelsiusGPS

When performing back and spine surgery — particularly with spinal screw placements — precision is key to a successful operation with minimal risk to the patient. That’s why the emergence of robotic-assisted surgery is hailed as such a remarkable medical advance within the spinal surgery community. It’s also why Polaris is so pleased to offer robotic-assisted spinal screw placements with ExcelsiusGPS.

Studies have shown that among the top spinal surgeons, the highest rate of placement accuracy by hand is about 93 percent. With robotic surgery overall, that accuracy has been raised to about 98 percent. However, thanks to advanced state-of-the-art navigation technology, ExcelsiusGPS has taken the accuracy of spinal screw placements to a whole new level. In a recent study in which ten surgeons placed a total of 160 pedicle screws with ExcelsiusGPS, the accuracy rate jumped to 100 percent.

Why the Improved Accuracy?

ExcelsiusGPS utilizes an advanced form of navigation technology based on images taken of the patient’s anatomy, not unlike the GPS technology we use in our vehicles. Not only does the navigation feature identify the precise location of screw placement, but the GPS technology adapts to the patient’s natural shifts and movements on the table, recalculating in real time to ensure proper placement. When we combine this navigation technology with the powerful precision of robotics (which far exceed the stability of the human hand), the accuracy of spinal screw placement is unmatched.

Benefits to the Patient

With this level of precision, we can now utilize robotic assistance for spinal screw placement in many places along the back and spine, including the thoracic, cervical and lumbar regions of the back, as well as the sacroiliac joint at the pelvis. An increase of accuracy of a couple of percentage points might not seem like much, but it offers huge advantages to the patient, namely:


Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center is proud to be the first outpatient spinal center in the Southeast to offer ExcelsiusGPS for spinal screw placement procedures, which has enabled us to raise the bar once again in quality of care for our patients. To learn more, call us at 404-256-2633.

You Might Also Enjoy...

Can My Spinal Fractures Heal on Their Own with Rest?
If you have a spinal fracture, treatment depends on the type and severity of the break, as well as whether other structures are involved. Can fractures heal on their own with just rest? Keep reading to learn the answer.

5 Risk Factors for a Herniated Disc
A herniated disc may produce no symptoms or pain and weakness so severe they’re disabling. Knowing your risk factors may help you prevent a disc from herniating in the first place.

Radiculopathy Types and What to Expect
Radiculopathy is pain that travels down nerve paths into the extremities. Keep reading to learn about the different types, what you can expect, and how you can find relief.

Spinal Stenosis: 3 Effective Treatments
Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can cause radiating pain by compressing spinal nerve roots. Keep reading to learn about three effective treatments to relieve your distress.

Can Aging Cause Sciatica?
Sciatica is a common condition where the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or inflamed, causing pain, weakness, and numbness along its path. Can it be caused by aging? Read on to find out.

Can I Tell if I Have a Brain Tumor?
You’re not a doctor, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know the warning signs of a brain tumor. Early detection can lead to more effective treatment. Get all the facts here.