Christus Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital in Lake Charles, La., said it became the first hospital in Southwest Louisiana to install ExcelsiusGPS, a robot designed to assist surgeons in spine procedures, NBC affiliate KPLC reported Jan. 31.
Globus Medical launched the robot four years ago to assist surgeons with the placement of pedicle screws, improve preoperative planning and boost operating room efficiency.
The robot provides surgeons with 3D scans of a patient's anatomy before surgery, which the surgeon then follows intraoperatively. It also eliminates the use of radiation imaging during surgery, making it safer for the surgeon, operating room staff and patient.
ExcelsiusGPS allows for the more precise placement of pedicle screws and more reproducible surgeries, according to the company.
"We're able to provide better outcomes, with less operative time, and a shorter recovery period," Erich Wolf, MD, PhD, a neurosurgeon at St. Patrick, told KPLC.
Surgeons still control the robot, but Dr. Wolf hinted that may not always be the case.
"I think probably one day I'll be obsolete," Dr. Wolf said. "I think it's really the trend toward the future."