LA ROBOTICA NELLA CHIRURGIA VERTEBRALE
Organized in collaboration with Globus Medical, the scientific event “The Benefits of Robot-Assisted Spinal Surgery” took place on October 7 and 8, 2022, at the Rizzola Clinic. Twenty spinal surgeons participated in the program, with many more following the two live surgeries broadcast on the clinic’s YouTube channel.
by Federico Pecoraro*
The event, “The Benefits of Robot-Assisted Spinal Surgery,” held at the Rizzola Clinic, marked the first time all surgeons using this cutting-edge technology, which is in full development and spreading across Italy, came together. The event provided a valuable opportunity for the professionals in attendance to exchange ideas, share opinions, and discuss the future developments of what is considered the surgery of tomorrow. At present, the Rizzola Clinic serves as a key showcase for this technology, and the event, as a forum for dialogue, offered immense growth potential for all participants.
THE ADVANTAGES OF ROBOTICS
Along with Dr. Sciarrone, we performed two different surgeries that demonstrated two distinct ways of surgically treating spinal pathologies, pushing the limits of the ExcelsiusGPS Robot. This allowed us to understand the significant advantages in terms of execution, precision, and procedural safety, while significantly improving patient outcomes (reduced pain, faster recovery times, and a drastic decrease in the risk of intraoperative complications).
THE ROLE OF THE SURGEON
Building the event around live surgery was aimed at highlighting the essential role of the surgeon in robotic surgery, as well as the crucial need for the training and full involvement of the entire operating room team to ensure the technology is efficiently integrated into a fast and streamlined workflow.
LIVE ONLINE
A key value-added feature of the event was the decision to livestream the proceedings, allowing participation from those who could not be in San Donà di Piave, including both professionals and patients with their families. This gave patients a “virtual” entry into our operating rooms, making them more aware of the technological advancements that enable us to be increasingly precise and respectful of various anatomical structures. Watching surgeons perform real robotic surgeries also heightened patients’ understanding, making the prospect of surgical treatment less daunting and frightening.
THE RIZZOLA ACADEMY FOUNDATION
The Foundation organized an event centered around the word “dialogue”—dialogue between professionals and dialogue between doctors and patients. It was an immense opportunity for growth for all involved: chairmen, faculty, participants, and, most importantly, an unprecedented level of participation for our patients.
* Federico Pecoraro is a neurosurgeon specializing in the minimally invasive treatment of degenerative spinal pathologies and an expert in robotic spinal surgery. He consults and operates at the Rizzola Clinic.