DALLAS – Medical City Spine Hospital is the first Dallas County facility to utilize a new robotic navigation platform that enables enhanced accuracy and improved visualization of a spine patient’s anatomy.
This new technology combines a robotic arm and full navigation capabilities into one adaptable platform. The robotic arm is guided to a specific region of the spine, similar to a planned route or pathway on a GPS, enabling the surgeon to accurately place screws. Throughout the procedure, the surgical instruments and implants are continuously displayed on the screen, enabling the surgeon to view live feedback during the procedure. Physicians who have used the technology say it optimizes spinal patient treatment and enhances safety.
“Medical City Spine Hospital continues to innovate and improve the physician and patient experience across North Texas with investments in technologies,” says Josh Kemph, COO of Medical City Spine Hospital. “These innovative technologies in the hands of our expert surgeons are why so many patients trust us as the premier destination of choice for healthcare excellence.”
Medical City Spine Hospital also recently implemented augmented reality (AR) headsets that allow physicians to navigate instruments and implants during a procedure while looking directly at the patient. The new AR headsets help to accurately determine the position of surgical tools within the body as might be seen in a real-time CT scan. The data is then projected onto the surgeon’s retina using the headset, allowing them to simultaneously look at the patient and see the navigation data.
Both technologies may be used to improve minimally invasive spine surgeries which can be faster, safer and require less recovery time. The potential benefits are:
- Shorter hospital stays
- Reduced blood loss
- Reduced pain and discomfort
- Faster recovery time and return to normal activities
- Smaller incisions, resulting in reduced risk of infection
- Less scarring
- Greater sparing of nerves
Learn more about spine surgery options at Medical City Spine hospital here: MedicalCitySpineHospital.com
The new robotic navigation platform is part of Medical City Healthcare's major capital investment initiative of more than $1.1 billion spent or committed over five years across the Medical City Healthcare system. Investments include expansion and improvements to existing hospitals, new services such as trauma, oncology, and behavioral healthcare, upgraded technology and the purchase and construction of new facilities.