Robotic spine surgery is a safe, less invasive and precise alternative to the traditional open spine surgery technique. It is a groundbreaking advancement in the field, and Dr. Rovner is one of a small group of spinal surgeons qualified to perform the procedure. Dr. Joshua Rovner is a top provider of robotic spine surgery New Jersey has to offer.
How robotic spine surgery works
With conventional open spine surgery, the surgeon determines the ideal placement for screws, bone grafts and implants after obtaining x-ray images of the area prior to the procedure. During the actual operation, they will draw on their experience, judgment and information from the x-ray images to place the materials.
However, x-rays can only offer a limited picture, so there’s always a degree of risk involved. In addition, misplacement can lead to serious consequences for the patient such as persistent pain, restricted mobility and, in very rare cases, paralysis. Robotic spine surgery dramatically reduces some of these risks. It’s performed with the aid of a mechanical guidance system, which increases the safety and precision of among the most complex spinal procedures.
The technology
When undergoing robotic spine surgery with New Jersey spine surgeon Dr. Rovner, the procedure will be performed with the assistance of the Mazor Robotics System. Prior to the surgery, Dr. Rovner will order a computed tomography (CT) scan and load the images into the 3D planning system to create a surgical blueprint. This allows him to thoroughly plan for your procedure before he even enters the operating room. During your actual surgery, the robotic guidance system will assist in directing the instruments used throughout the operation to ensure adherence to the surgical blueprint.