The new frontier of spine surgery
Villa Stuart is confirmed as a center of excellence in the field of spine surgery thanks to a team of highly qualified specialists and the introduction of the innovative ExcelsiusGPS robot.
A state-of-the-art technological gem that is now the only integrated GPS navigation system and robotic instrumentation capable of showing the surgeon the shortest and safest route to perform surgery.
A new frontier in the field of neurosurgery of the spine, made possible by the synergy between the human element and robotic automation, enabling surgeons at Villa Stuart to perform safer, more precise and minimally invasive treatments for conditions requiring spinal stabilization.
The robot is used by a team of surgeons combining the experience of professionals already at the facility, such as Dr. Angelo Pompucci, and top experts from northern Italy, Dr. Carlo Alberto Benech (the first neurosurgeon to introduce this technology in Europe) and Dr. Federico Pecoraro.
How ExcelsiusGPS works
With this state-of-the-art device, the surgeon can visualize, plan, and manage the surgery in real time. Before surgery, images of the spine are captured and imported into the ExcelsiusGPS platform.
The robotic system uses the patient’s x-rays and CT scans to build a 3-D virtual model of the column that allows the surgeon to plan the surgery. With the images of the column, as reconstructed by the robot, pedicle screws are virtually placed on the system.
Once the planning phase is completed, the data are again transferred to the robot in the operating room. The ExcelsiusGPS robotic arm locates the exact region of the spine to be operated on and during surgery, similar to a planned route on a GPS, guides the surgeon’s hand in placing the screws needed to stabilize the vertebrae.
In fact, the system allows real-time monitoring of the entire procedure. All this translates into less invasive surgery, allowing smaller incisions, greater precision and shorter patient recovery times.
It is important to clarify how robotics in surgery does not replace the surgeon’s expertise, for which expertise and experience remain imperative, but it accompanies the surgeon by enhancing his or her skills and precision.
Professionals respond
What is and how does robotic surgery applied to the spine work?
“The Excelsius GPS robotic system enables a unique, innovative and revolutionary approach in the field of spinal surgery, providing increased safety. This robot was created for spinal neurosurgery and is used to implant synthetic means (vertebral pedicle screws) percutaneously without having to expose the vertebrae as is done in traditional surgery.
The minimally invasive approach combined with real-time robotic navigation is a significant step forward for surgical efficacy and patient safety. The robot operates with pinpoint accuracy by responding to pre-operative settings programmed by the neurosurgeon.
In fact, the most important step takes place outside the operating room, during planning, where we are responsible for deciding on the size, length, diameter, and trajectory of the intravertebral screws.
Next, the robot does what we program. The mechanical arm performs what we have determined with pinpoint accuracy, and the integrated navigation system enables real-time visualization of surgical maneuvers, dramatically reducing the margin of error.”
Dr. Carlo Alberto Benech
What are the pathologies and the profile of the patient candidate for the use of this technology?
“Ideal candidates for this type of procedure are all patients suffering from acquired or malformative vertebral instability. These conditions are responsible, to varying degrees, for often disabling chronic spinal pain, more or less associated with cruralgia or sciatalgia with pain involving the extremities.
We are particularly talking about patients who have severe intervertebral disc distress, narrowing of the lumbar canal, or in whom there is evidence of slippage of the vertebrae (spondylolisthesis) or the presence of anatomical changes caused by severe arthrosis.
In these cases, the only viable strategy is vertebral stabilization, that is, using dedicated fixation systems, such as titanium screws, intersomatic cages and bars, in order to maintain or recover the physiological curves of the spine.
To date, implants of these systems have been performed by open, percutaneous mini-invasive (through the use of intraoperative scopes) or navigated methods. The robotic method is the latest step forward in technological and scientific progress.”
Dr. Angelo Pompucci
What are the advantages of this technique over traditional surgery?
“The advantages in using robotic surgery using the Excelsius GPS system are many. Indeed, it is possible to perform increasingly personalized and accurate surgeries, dramatically reducing the duration of surgery and intra-operative exposure to X-rays.
For the patient, the advantages translate into greater comfort in terms of less blood loss, greater preservation and respect for paravertebral muscle tissue, and therefore less pain. All this inevitably leads to a significantly faster postoperative recovery, and the patient can thus return more quickly to both daily activities and to work and sports.
All of which reduces the risks of misplacement of synthesizing media and thus possible postoperative complications almost close to 0%.”
Dr. Federico Pecoraro
