Robot-assisted surgical technology introduced at Abrazo West Campus has been used to perform more than 100 complex spinal fusion procedures, a robot-assisted spine surgery milestone reached in early 2022, and more procedures continue into the new year.

According to Dr. Kenneth Hood, who has performed over 120 procedures with this technology at Abrazo West, the Globus ExcelsiusGPS robotic platform creates a roadmap of the patient’s anatomy for accuracy and efficiency in placement of implants during minimally invasive and open spine surgery.

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“A typical candidate would be someone requiring a fusion operation who is living with severe back and radiating leg pain that has failed non-operative treatment and is seeking improved quality of life with less pain. This technology can also be applied to spine trauma and spine tumor surgery,” said Dr. Hood.

On the day of the robot-assisted spine surgery, intraoperative fluoroscopic images of the spine are merged with a CT scan of the spine obtained prior to surgery. After this merge, the surgeon has an extremely accurate roadmap of the patient’s anatomy and uses this roadmap to precisely plan the placement and size of implants (screws and cages), he explained.

The robotic arm guides the surgeon to exact coordinates for implant placement. The implant is placed through a rigid tube attached to the robotic arm. The surgeon is still performing the operation which requires extensive training and skills, the robot is a guide.

“We are very excited to reach this milestone in our spine surgery program and provide this option for those in our community who are considering spinal fusion surgery. Abrazo West Campus continues to invest in and bolster our advanced spine surgical program through partnering with high quality physicians and acquiring advanced technology such as minimally invasive surgical robotics,” said Abrazo West Campus CEO Hans Dreissnack.

The following procedures are treatment options where the GPS technology may be used:

• Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

• Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion

• Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion

• Posterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion

“I’m beyond excited to be able to offer the cutting edge technology of the GPS-guided spine robot to patients in the West Valley. It will allow me to continue to provide quality outcomes for my patients while performing surgery in a safe, more accurate and less tissue disruptive manner,” said Dr. Hood.

Abrazo West Campus brought the Globus ExcelsiusGPS® robotic surgical technology to the West Valley in early 2021.

For more information on services available at Abrazo Health hospitals, visit AbrazoHealth.com.