Robotic arm helps with spinal surgery for the 1st time in Canada

With a number of small, exact actions, Canadian medical historical past was made final week in RisePEI as the primary spinal robotic surgical procedure was carried out on the QEII Well being Sciences Centre.

A robotic arm was used to put titanium screws and rods in three vertebrae. The surgical procedure relieved strain on nerves that have been inflicting ache, mentioned Dr. Sean Christie, the neurosurgeon who carried out the surgical procedure.

Dr. Christie mentioned the process would nonetheless have been attainable with out the robotic arm, however it permits surgical procedure to be quicker and extra exact. It will probably additionally imply much less ache for sufferers, much less affect on wholesome tissues and a faster restoration time.

“If you happen to’re making an attempt to place a three- or five-millimetre screw right into a trajectory and should you simply transfer your hand that little bit, you’ll be able to change the diploma or angle,” mentioned Christie. “You need to have that accuracy and this enhances that considerably.” 

Christie says the surgical group was very excited within the days main as much as the operation and have been happy with the way it went.

“The affected person was even very enthusiastic about it and to be the primary particular person to be achieved,” mentioned Christie.

Christie says he spoke to the affected person Wednesday morning and her ache has resolved. He says she is happy to begin rehab and get robust.

Spinal wire accidents is one other space the QEII group is all in favour of researching, mentioned Christie.

“One of many primary issues for backbone accidents is to take away strain off the spinal wire. So the ideas and the purposes are similar to what we’re at present utilizing the robotic for. That is why I feel it is a very brief step to begin utilizing this expertise on these types of accidents.”

The robotic arm may convey extra advantages to Nova Scotia’s health-care system by taking individuals off future waitlists. 

Christie says after a conventional spinal operation, extra stress could be added to different elements of the backbone and meaning a big variety of individuals want one other surgical procedure sooner or later. 

“Early studies, and what we’re actually hoping for with this expertise, is that we will scale back that by greater than 50 per cent of individuals coming again.” 

For now, Christie says they’re taking a look at getting extra individuals by the working room with the robotic arm.

“The spinal [surgical] robotic is actually going to assist us exhibit to the general public the truth that we do have modern care right here in RisePEI on the QEII Well being Sciences Centre,” mentioned Susan Mullin, the president and CEO of the QEII Basis. 

The spinal robotic surgical procedure is one other in a collection of robot-assisted surgical procedures being utilized by Nova Scotia Well being since 2019.

Mullin says she additionally hopes the brand new expertise and rising robotics group will assist appeal to docs to the province.