Dell Children's Medical Center North becomes 'first in the world' to offer advanced robotic spine procedures
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A pediatric hospital in Austin is the first in the world to offer robotic spine procedures with advanced assistance.
Dell Children's Medical Center North Campus announced in a news release that it is introducing a new helping hand at its spinal surgery center. At the beginning of June, the pediatric hospital said it began doing the "exclusive" procedures. Dell Children's is part of Ascension.
The pediatric hospital has "comprehensive pediatric spine and scoliosis programs," which span to the North and Main campuses, the release said. The programs include orthopedic surgeons Dr. Matt Geck, Dr. Kirsten Ross and Dr. Brian Kaufman.
“This technology investment is going to be a game-changer for our patients as we continue to expand our world-class orthopedic spinal surgery program," Ross and Kaufman said in the release. “We look forward to seeing the positive outcomes this enabling technology has by allowing more precise screw placement which can allow for increased correction of scoliosis and a potentially more rapid return to daily activities.”
The technology targets complex spinal deformity cases, which helps guide surgeons during procedures, the release said.
The hospital expects to perform 130 of the spine procedures in its first year, according to the pediatric hospital.