Globus Medical's ExcelsiusGPS Innovates Spine Surgery
Mar 13, 2019
No matter the specific procedure, any surgical operation on the spine is a delicate procedure requiring the highest levels of precision. Even with the emergence of minimally invasive spine surgery, surgeons place a high value on any advancement or technology that can improve accuracy rates. The introduction of robotics has already filled this space by helping spine surgeons place pedicle screws much more precisely than before.
Recently, Polaris Spine & Neurosurgery Center took this advancement a step further by becoming the first spinal clinic in the Southeast to offer ExcelsiusGPS by Globus Medical — an advanced robotic system that innovates spine surgery even further than other surgical robotics.
Why choose ExcelsiusGPS? Here are a few of the advantages we’ve experienced in adding this technology to our clinic.
Conventional open surgery by hand can yield less-than-acceptable screw placement rates, even for some of the most accomplished surgeons. When placing small pedicle screws of 2mm or less (Grade 0), the accuracy rates for manual open surgery may be as low as 68 percent. Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques have increased these numbers to 80-90 percent accuracy, and the average robotic surgical system can raise the accuracy rate to as high as 98 percent. However, in a study involving 10 surgeons with 2-10 years of experience placing pedicle screws, those using ExcelsiusGPS saw a 100 percent accuracy rate.
The improved accuracy comes from the implementation of advanced navigation technology similar in function to the GPS that works in our vehicles. The surgeon uploads imaging of the patient’s anatomy to the system, from which an anatomical map is created. The navigation technology then makes recalculations in real time based on the patient’s natural movements on the table during the procedure to ensure accurate placement of the implant.
Thanks to the improved navigation features of ExcelsiusGPS, the surgeon is able to make normally small incisions even smaller, and accurate screw placement results in less damage to surrounding tissues. This results in reduced postoperative pain for the patient.
Another benefit to both patients and staff is the reduced exposure to fluoroscopic radiation during the procedure. A typical MIS procedure relies on the use of multiple fluoroscopic images to help the surgeon navigate—sometimes more than 100 such images per procedure. ExcelsiusGPS eliminates the need for fluoroscopic images, resulting in zero radiation exposure to patient, physicians and attending staff.
Simply put, improved navigation and greater accuracy result in less time in the operation room. The average time required for placing a single screw is nearly 8 minutes with standard MIS surgery; with ExcelsiusGPS, that placement time is reduced by more than 50 percent. Shortened surgery times mean reduced risk and less trauma to the patient.
These are just a few of the ways Globus Medicals’ ExcelsiusGPS innovates spine surgery — which is why Polaris Spine & Neurosurgical Center is pleased to offer it as an option for our patients who need it. To learn more, call us at 404-256-2633.