New Spine Robot adds to the UAB Robotic Surgery Lineup

In early 2023, the University of Alabama at Birmingham will have performed 20,000 robotic surgeries. UAB Medicine, a pioneer in minimally invasive robotic surgery, is expanding its portfolio with the inclusion of a spine robot.

“Spine surgery is incredibly precise, with many of our targets being half a centimeter wide, and there is little to no tolerance for error,” said Jake Godzik, M.D., neurosurgeon and assistant professor in the UAB Department of Neurosurgery. “Using the robotic techniques does not revolutionize what we do, but it allows an experienced team to be more precise and consistent and even tackle more complex surgeries.”

Globus Medical’s ExcelsiusGPS® spine robot was recently installed at UAB Medicine. UAB Hospital is Birmingham’s sole hospital equipped with the latest technologies. The robot is now used in the Department of Neurosurgery for instrument placement and treating degenerative spine diseases.

Aside from improving execution precision, the robot is minimally invasive, allowing patients to recuperate faster. Godzik adds that the device is useful in trauma circumstances where patients may not be stable enough to undergo a massive operation but still require surgical intervention.

Godzik says the addition of the robot places UAB on the next phase of advancement in minimally invasive, robotic surgeries.

“Robotic surgeries have been around for some time but are just now being integrated into the world of neurosurgery,” Godzik said. “Moving forward, I hope to see the robot integrated into a variety of specialties and surgeries across UAB to continue to advance our patient care.”

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