Robotic Spinal Surgery and its Benefits

One of the latest advancements in the field of spinal and neurosurgery, robotic spinal surgery is available to the patients who rely only on leading edge technology in the operating theatre. In the traditional method of spinal surgery, surgeons place screws in the spinal bones either using their feel and judgement or take help of many X-rays taken during the procedure. If these X-rays are taken in large numbers, they expose the patient to significant amounts of radiation, which may be harmful for the patients. In this technique, there is a high risk of placing the screws in the wrong place. As a result, your patient may face paralysis or a less effective operation.

To get rid of these problems, robotic spinal surgery was conceived. It reduces the risk of screw misplacement. When Mazor Renaissance Robot is used, the surgeon remains in control of the surgery and places the screws with their hands. However, here the robot provides a guidance system, on the basis of computerized pre-operative plan. This process increases the degree of precision, which results in an accuracy of 1mm.

The robotic guidance system involved with the robot spine surgery allows surgeons to perform even the most complex types of spine surgery safely, accurately and efficiently. It limits radiation exposure, postoperative pain and the time of recovery.

Benefits of robotic spinal surgery

Spinal surgery is definitely the most challenging and risky surgery that people require. Variations in the anatomy of the patients, possibility of human error, combined with the complex nature of the spinal cord and nerves on which the operation is performed means that even a very minor mistake can cause a lot of havoc.

Hence, neurosurgeons are in constant search of ways to minimize the risk of surgery. Taking help of Renaissance Spinal Robot these risks can be reduced.

An Overview of Artificial Disc Surgery

An artificial disc is a device which is implanted into the spine to mimic the functions of a normal disc. The entire range of disc design is primarily divided into two general types: total disc replacement and disc nucleus replacement. In case of total disc replacement, almost all the disc tissues are removed and a replacement device is implanted into the space between the vertebra. In case of a disc nucleus replacement, only the nucleus or the disc center is removed to replace it with an implant. In this type of disc replacement, the outer part of the disc (the annulus) is not removed.

Usually artificial discs are made with a combination of metal or plastic-like (biopolymer) materials or either of the two. The materials used to make the artificial discs have been used in the human body for several years. The process of Total disc replacement has been performed since the late 1980s.

Who needs an Artificial Disc?

The indications for disc replacement may vary from instance to instance. Some general indications include pain arising from the disc that could not be reduced with non-operative care, like medication, injections, physical therapy or chiropractic care.

In an ideal situation, an MRI is done to show the disc degeneration. Often discography is performed to verify which disc (s) is related to your pain. To check if the person in question is fit for disc replacement or not, the surgeon may require a few tests, including:

• X-rays
• Discography
• Computed tomography (CT) scans
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans

There are some circumstances where you can’t opt for an artificial disc surgery. For example, allergy to the device materials, spondylolisthesis, osteoporosis, vertebral body fracture, spinal tumor, spinal infection, morbid obesity, pregnancy, chronic steroid use or autoimmune problems.