Overview
Robotics in surgery can be a misleading term. While robots don’t operate, a robotic-guided navigation platform can be an incredibly helpful tool for surgeons to use when performing spine surgeries that require complex instrumentation.Not all spine surgical procedures need to utilize this type of technology, but for some procedures it can add a unique level of precision and allow a more efficient pace, reducing the time a patient has to remain under anesthesia.
Essentially, robotic-guided navigation is a form of advanced surgical technology meant to support your surgeon, enhance the safety and accuracy of your procedure and ultimately improve the outcome of your surgery.
What is it? How does it help?
Riverside Regional Medical Center was the first hospital in Hampton Roads to acquire Medtronic’s Mazor X™ Stealth Edition Robotic Guidance Platform as part of our suite of spine surgical technology. There are two components to this system: surgical planning and interoperative navigation.Prior to the procedure, the surgeon makes careful plans based on a 3D visualization of the patient’s spine. This facilitates planning and preparation for precise application of screws and hardware that needs to be placed.
Surgical planning is done before the surgery. On the day of surgery, the robotic guidance component directs surgeons during the procedure to ensure accurate incisions and verify that all hardware is placed exactly where it was intended to be during the planning process. Intraoperative image guidance makes this possible, and the robotic arm makes this possible.
In many ways, robotic guidance is like a surgical GPS that can precisely track the location of a screw or instrument in the body in order to ensure the best possible placement. And, as it reduces the need for additional imaging after each stage of surgery, it reduces both radiation exposure and time under anesthesia, both contributing to better outcomes for the patient. The Mazor X robotic system allows our team to perform complex, multi-level thoracic and lumbar reconstructive spinal surgeries with greater accuracy than previously possible.
Is it used on all spine surgeries?
No. This type of robotic-guided navigation is mainly utilized in larger, more complex surgeries, such as multi-level spinal fusions and correction of spinal deformities. With these more extensive surgeries, the advanced imaging and planning can significantly help guide the procedure and track the instruments, screws and implants. This reduces the time under anesthesia and reduces the need to use X-ray imaging during the procedure.Is this the same as minimally invasive spine surgery?
No. The term “minimally invasive” refers to the size of the surgical incision, which impacts how many of the muscles and tendons need to be pulled back to access the actual spine. In minimally invasive procedures, the work is done using tubular retractors and microscopes accessing the spine via the smallest opening possible.In some cases of spinal fracture, single-level disc herniations and/or stenosis, minimally invasive approaches can safely utilized. However, many spinal surgeries can only be accomplished using an “open” approach, which includes a larger incision and can lead to injury to the surrounding spinal muscles. Robotic guidance can be utilized in both open procedures as well as minimally invasive procedure on the spinal column.
Your surgeons will work with you to determine the most appropriate approach that minimizes potential side effects while providing enough surgical access to the spinal column to address the problem.