Innovation in Orthopaedic Robotic Surgery

More precision, less pain with surgical robotic knee assistant

As anyone who has suffered an injury to the knee knows, there are few things that compare to the gift of mobility. The Busamed Group is proud to announce the latest in surgical robotic technology, that promises smarter, faster knee replacement surgeries.

The ROSA® Robotic Knee is an advanced system that offers precision mapping for patients needing partial or total knee replacements. The system is designed to collect and assemble thousands of data points on each patient’s unique knee anatomy, making surgery even more customised to each patient.

This technology provides a 3D model of the patient’s knee, which gives the surgeon a higher definition of the route of repair. Having this HD view results in precise incisions which influences a shorter recovery time and ultimately less pain for the patient.

Our robotic surgical assistants have already been put to work in theatre by Dr. Lipalo Mokete, Dr. Ebrahim Hoosen and Dr Harry Papagapiou.

Says COO of The Busamed Group Glenn de Villiers, “The utilisation of Rosa will lead to quality outcomes for patients and inclusive partnerships. The partnerships, working with the Orthopaedic Institute and with Zimmer Biomet have helped us realise our goal.”

Technology’s role in medical and surgical intervention cannot be overstated. Orthopaedic robotics has enabled rapid recovery pathways that could result in same-day discharge or patients only spending one night in the hospital. A clear indication of this advancement can be seen in reduced pain, a lower usage of pain relief medication postoperatively, fewer rehabilitative sessions (like physiotherapy) and overall improved knee function following surgery. There has also been notable links to shorter hospital stays and lower rates of hospital readmission compared to traditional surgical techniques.

With surgical robotics, surgeons are guided by the technology to optimise incision planning and improve efficiencies. Whereas traditionally, knee replacements were done with deep incisions, now with orthopaedic robotics, this may not be the case.

Says Dr. Mokete, “The whole point is that you want to optimise accuracy and precision. Most importantly you want to reduce human error. If I’ve been operating and I am on case five [of the day], I am not as fresh as I was when I was on case three; on case one I was just warming up.”

A long standing desire for both patients and surgeons has been precision, particularly in the areas of transplants, bone dissection and soft tissue preparation. With orthopaedic robotics, the data collected during operations can help advance surgeons’ expertise, levelling up the care a patient can expect in hospital.

Busamed Modderfontein Private Hospital is the first hospital in South Africa to have acquired the Rosa system and to implement it in theatre. Says Dr Hoosen, “Robotic technology was first introduced to Busamed Modderfontein Private Hospital in 2016.” He and fellow orthopaedic surgeons underwent training in Germany.

“With the use of the Rosa Knee System, I believe we will achieve even better results. From a post-operation point of view, the patients who are treated with the use of the system are
happy and recovering well.

For more information you can contact the Modderfontein Orthopaedic Institute on:
Tel: 011 458 2133
or visit the website at www.theorthopaedicinstitute.co.za