Robotic Spine Surgery

Robotic spine surgery is a form of minimally invasive spine surgery. If you are experiencing chronic back pain that is unresponsive to non-surgical treatment, you may be a candidate for minimally invasive spine surgery in conjunction with the ExcelsiusGPS™ spinal surgery system.

ExcelsiusGPS™ is designed to improve accuracy and optimize patient care by using robotics and navigation, much like a GPS in your car. Its potential benefits for patients include a shorter hospital stay, less tissue damage, and smaller incisions (which may lead to smaller scars).

How It Works

Minimally invasive surgery combines your surgeon’s understanding of anatomy with x-ray imaging to treat spine conditions using small incisions. A minimally invasive technique permits the surgeon to separate the muscles surrounding the spine rather than cut through them. The surgeon operates through small incisions along the spine.

On the day of surgery medical images are taken and imported into ExcelsiusGPS™. The surgeon uses these images to determine the size and placement of implants and creates a patient plan based on your anatomy. This is used to guide the rigid robotic arm to a specific region of your spine, similar to a planned route or pathway on a GPS. The surgeon uses this pathway or route to accurately place the implants using instruments. Throughout the procedure, the surgical instruments and implants are continuously displayed on the screen for the surgeon and staff to monitor. This display allows the surgeon to view live feedback during your procedure for more precise implant placement.

It is important to understand that the decision to receive minimally invasive surgery is individualized to each patient and their symptoms. Please ask your physician whether minimally invasive surgery is right for you.

Source: https://www.medstarortho.org/treatments/spine-surgery/robotic-spine-surgery/