Robotic Spinal Surgery, the Journey, with Prof Richard Bittar

Robotic Spinal Surgery, the Journey, with Prof Richard Bittar ROBOTIC SPINAL SURGERY- MAKING SPINAL SURGERY SAFER AND MORE PRECISE WHAT IS ROBOTIC GUIDANCE IN SPINAL SURGERY Robotic spinal surgery is one of the latest advances in neurosurgery and spinal surgery. Using the Mazor Renaissance Robot, Professor Richard Bittar was the first surgeon in Victoria and the second Neurosurgeon in Australia to perform robotic spinal surgery. This technology is now available to patients who desire leading edge technology in the operating theatre. Mazor Renaissance Robotic Guidance System Mazor Renaissance Robotic Guidance System Traditionally, surgeons perform complex spinal surgery by placing screws in the spinal bones either ‘freehand’- using their judgement and feel, or with the assistance of many X-rays taken during the procedure. These X-rays, if taken in large numbers, expose the patient (and the surgeon) to significant amounts of radiation, which potentially may be harmful. Using these techniques, there is a small but very significant risk of placing the screws in the wrong place, or in a sub-optimal position. The end result could be paralysis or a less effective operation. Robotic spinal surgery was conceived to introduce a much greater degree of accuracy to spinal surgery, thereby reducing the risk of screw misplacement. Using the Mazor Renaissance Robot, your surgeon stays in control of the surgery and places the screws with his or her hands, however the robot provides a guidance system, based on a computerised pre-operative plan. This increases the degree of precision that the surgeon can offer, resulting in an accuracy of 1mm. The robotic guidance system allows surgeons to perform many types of spine surgery, from the simplest to the most complex – more safely, efficiently, and accurately. It reduces radiation exposure, and potentially lowers complication rates, postoperative pain, and recovery time. Head office phone number: +61 3 8862 0000 Email address: [email protected] Head office fax number: +61 3 9816 8564 www.westymedia.com.au The Valley Private Hospital The Valley Private Hospital