Spine Surgery and the Mazor® Robotics Renaissance Robot: 11 Things to Know

Our surgeons are some of the best in the world, but robotics can actually increase the precision and consistency of what we do in the operating room.

The OrthoCarolina Robotics Spine Surgery Team completed its 100th Mazor Robotics Renaissance spine surgical case at Atrium Health - Mercy in late 2016, performing a fusion procedure that involved inserting screws into a patient's lumbar spine to provide stability and relieve pain. If you or a loved one may be a candidate for spine surgery, here are 11 things to know about the Mazor robot:

1. The state-of-the-art Mazor technology makes complex spine surgery more precise by providing a pre-operative computer-based planning platform to increase surgical accuracy and safety.
2. Planning surgery through a computer and robot benefits the patient in many ways, ultimately leading to better outcomes post-surgery.
3. Surgeons develop a precise surgical blueprint in a virtual 3D environment using the system’s intuitive interface.
4. The robot allows precise placement of pedicle screws in patients with difficult anatomy, such as those with scoliosis deformities, and is minimally invasive.
5. There are 145 worldwide Mazor Robotics Renaissance systems, with 91 in the United States.
6. 23,000 cases have been performed as of early 2017 with 160,000 implants placed.
7. In Charlotte, there have been 130 cases and 537 implants placed. All were performed by the OrthoCarolina Spine Center Team.
8. The OrthoCarolina Spine Center team performed its first procedure in July 2015 and has since continued to expand the scope and complexity of procedures using Mazor robotic technology.
9. The team is using this technique for many types of spine operations from minimally invasive procedures to larger deformity cases.
10. Another potential advantage of the robot for patients is a reduction in radiation exposure.
11. Patients may also see additional benefits include smaller incisions, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery and less pain from surgery.

The OrthoCarolina Spine Center Team, which celebrates its 25^th year in 2017, includes surgeons Dr. Matt Chapman, Dr. Bruce Darden, Dr. Eric Laxer, Dr. Alden Milam, Dr. Al Rhyne, Dr. Leo Spector and Dr. Brad Segebarth.