The OrthoCarolina Robotics Spine Surgery Team recently completed its 100th Mazor Robotics Renaissance spine surgical case at Carolinas Medical Center Mercy, performing a fusion procedure that involved inserting screws into a patient's lumbar spine to provide stability and relieve pain. The OrthoCarolina team performed its first procedure in July 2015 and has since continued to expand the scope and complexity of procedures using Mazor robotic technology.

This state-of-the-art technology makes complex spine surgery more precise by providing a pre-operative computer based planning platform to increase surgical accuracy and safety. This benefits the patient in many ways, ultimately leading to better outcomes. 

“The Mazor Robotics Renaissance robot allows precise placement of pedicle screws in patients with difficult anatomy, such as those with scoliosis deformities. The screws can be placed minimally invasively, leading to lower patient morbidity,” said Alden Milam, MD, OrthoCarolina spine surgeon. 

Using the Mazor Robotics Renaissance intuitive interface, surgeons develop a precise surgical blueprint in a virtual 3D environment. The OrthoCarolina team is using this technique for many types of spine operations from minimally invasive procedures to larger deformity cases. One of the potential advantages of this for patients is a reduction in radiation exposure. Additional benefits include smaller incisions, shorter hospital stay, faster recovery and less pain from surgery.

“Robotics increases the precision and consistency of what we do in the operating room. These are two of the most important qualities of any surgical procedure,” said Eric Laxer, MD, OrthoCarolina spine surgeon.  

In addition to Drs. Milam and Laxer, the OrthoCarolina Spine Center Team includes surgeons Dr. Bruce Darden, Dr. Al Rhyne, Dr. Leo Spector, Dr. Brad Segebarth, and Dr. Matt Chapman.

Connect with OrthoCarolina at www.orthocarolina.com or on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.