At their monthly meeting on Jan. 30, the Maryville, Tenn.-based Blount Memorial Hospital board of directors approved the purchase of the Mazor X Robotic Guidance System by a unanimous vote, The Daily Times reports.
Here are four things to know:
1. Costs for the system, training and installation will be $910,000. The unit is expected to be running within weeks of acquisition.
2. The Mazor X uses 3-D imaging technology and a robotic arm to show surgeons where to place spinal screws. According to BMH neurosurgeon Edward Akeyson, MD, the error rate for placing screws with the Mazor is about 4 percent, compared to a nearly 13 percent error rate with freehand procedures.
3. The system allows for minimally invasive surgery that decreases time spent in the operating room and reduces patient radiation exposure, saving money in the long-term.
4. Dr. Akeyson claims that once the preplanning is done, the Mazor X is more efficient than placing screws freehand or with imaging guidance.
More articles on MIS:
Paradigm Spine publishes coflex vs. decompression study: 5 insights
Dr. Jeffrey Coe joins OrthoNorCal, specializing in MIS spine surgery: 5 key notes
The growth of outpatient spine, spine and ASCs and more — A talk at Mazama Spine 2018