Staff report
A robotic navigation platform designed to offer spinal surgery patients a more precise alternative was unveiled Tuesday in Boardman.
Southwoods Health, with locations in five counties, has introduced the ExcelsiusGPS to its patients. The move represents a $1.3 million investment, Southwoods said in a news release.
Over the past two years, spine surgeons at the Southwoods Pain & Spine Center have evaluated robotic-assisted systems that improve surgical planning and navigation. In February,
Dr. Frank Grisafi performed the region’s first robotic spine surgery using this platform.
As this technology continues to emerge as a standard of care, Southwoods spine surgeons are expanding its use across their spine program.
“I think ExcelsiusGPS offers tremendous benefits to our patients and believe it will become the
standard of care–as it has in larger metropolitan health systems including Cleveland and Pittsburgh,” Grisafi said. “This technology allows us to plan procedures in advance, reduce operating times for complex cases and expand our ability to perform minimally invasive surgeries.”
The system is fully controlled by the surgeon and uses GPS-based navigation to deliver highly detailed, real-time visualization of a patient’s anatomy. On the day of surgery, medical images are captured by the platform that allow the surgeon to map out the exact placement of implants based on each patient’s unique structure. During the procedure, 3D navigation guides positioning, improving accuracy and patient outcomes.
“This system combines advanced navigation, imaging and robotic technology to benefit both surgeons and patients,” said Steve Davenport, president of Southwoods Health. “It allows for greater surgical precision and offers patients a less invasive surgical option for spine surgery.”
Among Excelsius GPS’ benefits include improved imaging and surgical accuracy; smaller incisions, that minimize muscle and soft tissue trauma; faster recovery times; and reduced risk of surgical complications.
Globus Medical, headquartered in Audubon, Pa., developed and markets the technology.
For more information about Spine Services at Southwoods, visit SouthwoodsPainandSpine.com.