Burke Health, a Waynesboro, Ga.-based community hospital specializing in orthopedics, has installed the ExcelsiusGPS robot to assist surgeons performing spine procedures, NBC affiliate WRDW reported Oct. 20.
ExcelsiusGPS combines a robotic arm with navigation to improve accuracy in the placement of screws during spine surgery and reduce radiation exposure for the surgical team. The robot supports screw placement in several approaches, including posterior cervical, posterior thoracic sacroiliac and posterior lumbar.
Hospital officials said two spine surgeries would be performed this week with the robot, according to the report.
"As the only hospital in the region to use the Globus [Medical] robot, Burke Health is dedicated to the safest and most efficient spine care," Justin Bundy, MD, a spine surgeon at the hospital, told the news outlet. "Surgery will be performed most technologically, with enhanced patient safety and extreme confidence in hardware placement. In turn, this will enhance care and patient outcomes for the best opportunities moving forward."