News
November 20, 2019
London Bridge Hospital launch revolutionary robotic assisted spinal surgery
London Bridge Hospital, part of HCA Healthcare UK, has announced that it will be the first hospital in the UK to offer the revolutionary ‘ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation System’ to patients who need spinal surgery.
It is estimated that up to eight in every ten people in the UK are affected by back pain at some point in their lifetime. Many people will experience chronic, long lasting symptoms, which can be debilitating. If back pain is progressive and unresponsive to conservative medicine-based treatments, then spinal surgery using screws may be recommended.
The robot is the first of its kind to be available within the UK. This new technology raises the bar of minimally invasive surgery capabilities to provide: improved accuracy, reduced procedure times (so less time under general anaesthetic), significantly shorter recovery periods for patients, and lower complication rates.
Working with a group of world-renowned adult and paediatric consultant orthopaedic surgeons including Mr Khai Lam, London Bridge Hospital has acquired the ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation System, invented by Globus Medical. This ensures that patients living with chronic back pain and other spinal problems – such as slipped disc, fractures, tumours, scoliosis, kyphosis, and those needing revision of spinal surgery – have access to the latest, and most effective techniques in spinal surgery.
Spinal fusion is often performed to relieve pain in the spinal column - which occurs when the mobile disc cartilage between two vertebrae wears out - by connecting the affected vertebrae and thereby eliminating any abnormal painful movement between them.
There are many types of spinal fusion however, each technique requires a surgeon to place bone (or a bonelike material) between two spinal vertebrae and hold it in place with screws, so they can heal in one solid unit. Traditionally, the surgery is guided by x-ray imagery.
The novel ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation System offers a major advancement in spinal surgery, by allowing surgeons to capture images of the spine in 3D and with that data, pinpoint exactly the right depth and angle for predetermined screw dimensions that are to be inserted into the vertebra.
It is the first technology to combine a rigid robotic arm and full navigation capabilities for precise trajectory alignment, providing successful screw placement at a rate of 99%* (up from 90% without navigation and 95% with navigation). The improved precision also cuts down on procedure times, reduces exposure to radiation** - and means shorter recovery periods, earlier hospital discharge and accelerated return to work and sports for patients.
Mr Khai Lam, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, said:
“I am the UK’s first surgeon to be trained on the new ExcelsiusGPS Robot and I’m very proud to be leading the UK launch of the new system at London Bridge Hospital, alongside my theatre colleagues.
“This cutting-edge system is designed to assist in precise screw placement for a variety of different surgical approaches by eliminating human error and will therefore optimise patient care in those undergoing spinal surgery. Many of these procedures will include screw placements into the posterior cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint, when used to treat spinal disorders.”
“By combining the benefits of navigation, robotics and the expertise of surgeons, this robot has the ability to revolutionise the way we approach spinal surgery and change lives.”
Janene Madden, CEO of London Bridge Hospital, says:
“At London Bridge Hospital, we always aim to provide the very best for our patients and in this case by embracing advances in medical technology that are proven and safe. That’s why we are delighted to be leading the launch of the new ExcelsiusGPS Robot here in the UK.
“Led by some of the best spinal surgeons in the country, this new technology will offer patients all over the UK – and internationally – more effective treatment.”
For more information, or to book a consultation at London Bridge Hospital
It is estimated that up to eight in every ten people in the UK are affected by back pain at some point in their lifetime. Many people will experience chronic, long lasting symptoms, which can be debilitating. If back pain is progressive and unresponsive to conservative medicine-based treatments, then spinal surgery using screws may be recommended.
The robot is the first of its kind to be available within the UK. This new technology raises the bar of minimally invasive surgery capabilities to provide: improved accuracy, reduced procedure times (so less time under general anaesthetic), significantly shorter recovery periods for patients, and lower complication rates.
Working with a group of world-renowned adult and paediatric consultant orthopaedic surgeons including Mr Khai Lam, London Bridge Hospital has acquired the ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation System, invented by Globus Medical. This ensures that patients living with chronic back pain and other spinal problems – such as slipped disc, fractures, tumours, scoliosis, kyphosis, and those needing revision of spinal surgery – have access to the latest, and most effective techniques in spinal surgery.
Spinal fusion is often performed to relieve pain in the spinal column - which occurs when the mobile disc cartilage between two vertebrae wears out - by connecting the affected vertebrae and thereby eliminating any abnormal painful movement between them.There are many types of spinal fusion however, each technique requires a surgeon to place bone (or a bonelike material) between two spinal vertebrae and hold it in place with screws, so they can heal in one solid unit. Traditionally, the surgery is guided by x-ray imagery.
The novel ExcelsiusGPS® Robotic Navigation System offers a major advancement in spinal surgery, by allowing surgeons to capture images of the spine in 3D and with that data, pinpoint exactly the right depth and angle for predetermined screw dimensions that are to be inserted into the vertebra.
It is the first technology to combine a rigid robotic arm and full navigation capabilities for precise trajectory alignment, providing successful screw placement at a rate of 99%* (up from 90% without navigation and 95% with navigation). The improved precision also cuts down on procedure times, reduces exposure to radiation** - and means shorter recovery periods, earlier hospital discharge and accelerated return to work and sports for patients.
Mr Khai Lam, Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at London Bridge Hospital, said:
“I am the UK’s first surgeon to be trained on the new ExcelsiusGPS Robot and I’m very proud to be leading the UK launch of the new system at London Bridge Hospital, alongside my theatre colleagues.
“This cutting-edge system is designed to assist in precise screw placement for a variety of different surgical approaches by eliminating human error and will therefore optimise patient care in those undergoing spinal surgery. Many of these procedures will include screw placements into the posterior cervical, thoracic, lumbar spine, and sacroiliac joint, when used to treat spinal disorders.”
“By combining the benefits of navigation, robotics and the expertise of surgeons, this robot has the ability to revolutionise the way we approach spinal surgery and change lives.”
Janene Madden, CEO of London Bridge Hospital, says:
“At London Bridge Hospital, we always aim to provide the very best for our patients and in this case by embracing advances in medical technology that are proven and safe. That’s why we are delighted to be leading the launch of the new ExcelsiusGPS Robot here in the UK.
“Led by some of the best spinal surgeons in the country, this new technology will offer patients all over the UK – and internationally – more effective treatment.”
For more information, or to book a consultation at London Bridge Hospital
London Bridge Hospital launch revolutionary robotic assisted spinal surgery