Fort Myers, Fla.-based Lee Health became the first health system in Florida to complete a pediatric scoliosis surgery using a robotic guidance system.
The procedure was performed as part of a two-stage surgical plan to treat a young patient with Meckel-Gruber syndrome, a rare genetic disorder. The patient first underwent spinal cord untethering to relieve pain and reduce surgical risk, followed by a 14-hour spinal fusion and reduction, during which surgeons utilized a robotic arm and computer navigation to implant spinal hardware, according to a Jan. 22 news release.
The robotic system allows for minimally invasive screw placement and improved safety in complex spine cases. The procedure was led by pediatric neurosurgeon Theodore Spinks, MD, and orthopedic surgeon Robert Palmer, MD, in collaboration with Pediatric Orthopedics of SWFL and St. Petersburg, Fla.-based Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.
The patient’s care team reported significant improvements in walking, pain, bladder function and mobility after the surgery. The case underscores the value of integrated orthopedic and neurosurgical teams for complex pediatric spine care, according to the release.
