Dr. Todd Raabe Uses Robotics Guidance System for Scoliosis Surgery

Calendar September 25, 2015
Dr. Todd Raabe Uses Robotics Guidance System for Scoliosis Surgery

Azalea Orthopedics Surgeon, Dr. Todd Raabe, now performs the procedures at ETMC Tyler using the new Mazor Robotics Renaissance® guidance system. He has used this state-of-the-art technology for spine surgery more than 100 times.

“It has been incredibly accurate and more reliable than any other image-guided system I’ve used,” said Dr. Raabe. “It makes me better and more accurate and it keeps patients on the operating table for shorter lengths of time. It also cuts down on the number of X-rays needed.”

According to the National Scoliosis Foundation, about 7 million Americans develop scoliosis, which is a curvature of the spine. Options include a brace or surgery to place straightening rods in the back. Usually children will have the surgery when they are a teenager and have stopped growing, but adult patients can also benefit from the procedure.

“Acquiring the Mazor Robotics Renaissance® is part of ETMC’s commitment to delivering the highest standard of care for our patients,” said Brian Brennan, vice president of operations.

“We are pleased we can offer this surgery option in East Texas so patients don’t have to leave the region for care.” Less than 100 hospitals in the world offer this technology.

Mazor Robotics technology has been clinically validated to ensure 1.5mm accuracy for increased patient safety compared to freehand spine surgery.

“First thing we do is obtain a good CT image of the spine, done in 1 millimeter increments, giving us a very reliable image,” said Dr. Raabe. “That information is uploaded into a software program, which allows me to look at each vertebra individually in 3-D. The software allows me to map every detail of the procedure, where the implants will go and the angle, length, diameter and trajectory of every screw—to create a digital blueprint of how the spine should be realigned.”

On the day of the surgery, additional X-rays are taken and the software synchronizes these images with the uploaded images, creating a precise plan for the surgeon. Dr. Raabe says the technology makes an amazing difference for his patients.

“It’s very gratifying to help patients with a curved spine to have a straight spine again.”

Azalea Orthopedics newest spine surgeon Dr. Michael Merrick will also be using the Mazor Robotics technology.

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