Computer-assisted and robotic technology is at the forefront of today's surgical innovations. However, in the field of orthopedics, such technology is just in its infancy. Michael Raklewicz, MD, a physician with Orthopaedic Consultants of Wyoming Valley in Kinston, Penn., uses the PiGallileo system to improve the accuracy of knee surgeries.
Q: How does the PiGallileo technology work?
Dr. Mark Raklewicz: It ties in computer-assisted surgery with robotics. I'm a firm advocate for computer surgery because I think it helps the accuracy of alignment. Alignment is very important in orthopedics and total replacement surgery to make sure the prosthesis is in line. PiGallileo attaches to the knee with a clamp and then the computer registers the contour of the knee so that the computer has a picture of what the knee looks like. It measures the size and alignment of the knee. The computer tells the device (or robot) where the cuts should be made for the correct size and alignment of the knee, and then the physician makes the cut.
Q: What is the physician's role in utilizing this technology?
MR: As a surgeon, you have to check everything. The surgeon has control over every cut that is made, whether it is anterior, posterior or double cuts. If there is a mistake, it's the physician's mistake in registering patient's anatomy in the computer.
Q: If the surgeon makes a miscalculation, can the PiGallileo correct that?
MR: If the physician thinks the cut is not deep enough, the system holds a device to make the cuts up to ½ millimeter. There's no way a surgeon can make a ½ millimeter corrections using their eyeball.
Q: Is this technology difficult to use?
MR: Once you become adept to it, the procedure really becomes second nature. It is really hard to make bad cuts with the PiGallileo. I love the accuracy in alignments. I have been using this technology for more than a year and have not had a failure yet.
Q: Is using computer-assisted technology cost-effective for physicians?
MR: It's very cost effective at only a few hundred dollars extra. With the overall price of the procedure, we're talking about only a small percent more. Not all payors will compensate for it. However, in my mind, the cost-effectiveness is that I don't have to go back in and do the surgery over.
Learn more about Orthopaedic Consultants of Wyoming Valley.
Read other coverage on robotics in orthopedics:
- Dr. Stacey Bremer Becomes First in the United States to Perform Specialized Robotic Hand Surgery
- SpineAssist Surgical Robot Pre-Surgery Planning Device Available in Texas
- MAKO Surgical Launches Lateral Knee Resurfacing Application for Rio Robotic Arm
Q: How does the PiGallileo technology work?
Dr. Mark Raklewicz: It ties in computer-assisted surgery with robotics. I'm a firm advocate for computer surgery because I think it helps the accuracy of alignment. Alignment is very important in orthopedics and total replacement surgery to make sure the prosthesis is in line. PiGallileo attaches to the knee with a clamp and then the computer registers the contour of the knee so that the computer has a picture of what the knee looks like. It measures the size and alignment of the knee. The computer tells the device (or robot) where the cuts should be made for the correct size and alignment of the knee, and then the physician makes the cut.
Q: What is the physician's role in utilizing this technology?
MR: As a surgeon, you have to check everything. The surgeon has control over every cut that is made, whether it is anterior, posterior or double cuts. If there is a mistake, it's the physician's mistake in registering patient's anatomy in the computer.
Q: If the surgeon makes a miscalculation, can the PiGallileo correct that?
MR: If the physician thinks the cut is not deep enough, the system holds a device to make the cuts up to ½ millimeter. There's no way a surgeon can make a ½ millimeter corrections using their eyeball.
Q: Is this technology difficult to use?
MR: Once you become adept to it, the procedure really becomes second nature. It is really hard to make bad cuts with the PiGallileo. I love the accuracy in alignments. I have been using this technology for more than a year and have not had a failure yet.
Q: Is using computer-assisted technology cost-effective for physicians?
MR: It's very cost effective at only a few hundred dollars extra. With the overall price of the procedure, we're talking about only a small percent more. Not all payors will compensate for it. However, in my mind, the cost-effectiveness is that I don't have to go back in and do the surgery over.
Learn more about Orthopaedic Consultants of Wyoming Valley.
Read other coverage on robotics in orthopedics:
- Dr. Stacey Bremer Becomes First in the United States to Perform Specialized Robotic Hand Surgery
- SpineAssist Surgical Robot Pre-Surgery Planning Device Available in Texas
- MAKO Surgical Launches Lateral Knee Resurfacing Application for Rio Robotic Arm