HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball (Texas) began this year by launching neurosurgery and neurotrauma programs and was recently recognized as a Center of Excellence in robotic surgery by the Surgical Review Corp., Community Impact Newspaper reported June 30.

Robotic-assisted surgery in orthopedics has grown tremendously in recent years, particularly for knee reconstruction, one of the fastest-growing procedures, according to Medical Device Network.

Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk, Ohio, completed its 100th robotic-assisted total joint replacement, the Norwalk Reflector reported June 29.

Hendrick Medical Center Brownwood (Texas) has added Stryker's Mako robot, according to a June 23 report from Brownwood News.

Spine robots have proven effective in assisting surgeons with the placement of pedicle screws, but lag behind the capabilities of robots in other medical specialties such as urology and general surgery.

Two spine surgeons recently performed Monmouth Medical Center's 100th robotic spine surgery, which they see as the future of the specialty, The Link News reports.

Warwick, N.Y.-based St. Anthony Community Hospital has added Zimmer Biomet's Rosa robotic system, the Warwick Valley Dispatch reported June 21.

The Mazor SpineAssist was the first robot approved by the FDA to guide the placement of pedicle screws in 2004. 

Becker's Spine Review has reported on more than 40 hospitals, health systems and practices adding spine and orthopedic robots so far in 2021.

Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, N.Y., has become the first hospital in the region to offer the Mako SmartRobotics system for joint replacements, InformNY.com reported June 18.

Paul Asdourian, MD, and Paul McAfee, MD, are reportedly the first spine surgeons in the mid-Atlantic region to perform a lateral lumbar interbody fusion with the ExcelsiusGPS system, ABC affiliate WMAR Baltimore reported June 15.

Woodbury, Minn.-based Summit Orthopedics' Eagan Surgery Center was reportedly the first ASC in the state to perform spine surgery with the Mazor X Stealth Edition robotic system.

Fresno, Calif.-based Saint Agnes Medical Center has added Stryker's Mako robot for joint replacements, a local ABC affiliate reported June 10.

Charles Kanaly, MD, performed the 500th robotic-assisted spine surgery at Saint Anne's Hospital in Fall River, Mass., Warehamweektoday.com reported June 10.

Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based HCA East Florida acquired 13 surgical robots to be used for minimally invasive surgery.

Meagen Fernandez, DO, has completed more than 200 robotic-assisted pediatric spine surgeries at Danville, Pa.-based Geisinger Musculoskeletal Institute.

Stryker's Mako robot costs about $1 million, but the payoffs for two centers that acquired it are priceless.

Rosa Knee has won Orthopedic Product Innovation of the Year at the 2021 Healthcare Asia Medtech Awards.

More device companies are launching spine robots, which are anticipated to play a key role in the future of spine surgery, advancing far beyond their current capabilities related to the placement of pedicle screws.

A Mako robot has arrived at Magnolia (Ark.) Regional Medical Center, which has scheduled the first two cases with the system for June 7, according to the Magnolia Reporter.