Robotic Spine Surgery
Robotic spine surgery allows our surgeons to exercise an incredible level of precision, well beyond standard capabilities.
Robotic spine surgery is simply a surgical process that allows our surgeons to access mechanical precision not normally possible for a human. As a matter of fact, surgeons who use robotic guidance during spine surgery are accurate to a degree of 1.5 millimeters. For scale, that’s a size slightly smaller than the width of quarter.
Robotic spine surgery can be broken down into four individual steps:
Step 1: Plan
The surgeon creates a unique, 3D preoperative blueprint of the procedure using a CT scan that is tailored to the patient’s specific needs. This allows the surgeon to see what’s going on without necessitating a wide incision down the spine.
Step 2: Mount
Next, the surgeon mounts the robotic platform onto the patient’s spine. This ensures that precision and accuracy are maintained, even if the patient moves during the operation.
Step 3: 3D Sync
After mounting the platform to the spine, a 3D synchronization of the spine is completed and then matches up the intraoperative anatomy with the preoperative blueprint. This allows the Robotic Guidance system to operate with accuracy unattainable by a human hand.
Step 4: Surgery
Finally, the surgeon is ready to operate on the affected part of the patient’s spine. Using the Robotic Guidance system, they are able perform the procedure with remarkable speed and accuracy, which significantly reduces complications during and after surgery.
For more detailed information regarding Robotic-Assisted Spine Surgery, explore the Robotic Spine Surgery: How It Works page.
Robotic spine surgery provides a substantial increase in surgical accuracy and efficiency compared to standard surgical techniques. In one study of 102 consecutive cases placing 960 spinal implants via robotic spine surgery, the technique resulted in a 98.9 percent accuracy rate. When compared directly to open, conventional procedures, patients that were treated with RSS experienced a 27 percent reduction in average length of hospital stay, a 48 percent reduction in complications, and fewer revision surgeries and postoperative infections.
“I like to be cutting edge, to take advantage of new technologies and new techniques. Innovations in robotic spine surgery over the last several years has been absolutely amazing.”
Dr. Jae Lim
Board Certified Neurological Surgeon
Dr. Lim is one of only four surgeons in Northern Virginia to utilize robotic surgery techniques for complex back surgery. He was recently featured on NBC Washington’s 4 Your Health segment, highlighting the benefits of robotic spine surgery to correct painful and debilitating back issues.
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