Demand for robotic surgery leads to second Mako orthopaedic robot
Growing demand from patients seeking robotic surgery has led St John of God Subiaco Hospital to become the first facility in Australia, and South East Asia, to install two Mako orthopaedic robotic-arm systems in its theatres.
24 Feb 2020
The hospital installed its second Mako robotic-arm at the end of last year, adding to its existing Mako system which has been in use since 2015.
St John of God Subiaco Hospital Chief Executive Officer Professor Shirley Bowen said the second robot would help meet growing demand from patients for robotic-assisted surgery.
“Robotic assisted surgery is becoming increasingly common and is now accepted by many patients as the preferred surgical option,” she said.
“This second Mako robotic-arm is doubling our capacity to perform orthopaedic procedures robotically. In addition, more of our orthopaedic surgeons will be able to use the device, broadening its reach.”
The Mako robotic-arm is used by orthopaedic surgeons to perform personalised total hip, total knee and partial knee replacements.
The device is used to generate a 3D model of the patient’s joint before surgery, which is used by surgeons to pre-plan surgery based on their patient’s specific anatomy.
During the procedure, the surgeon guides the Mako’s robotic arm according to the 3D model, enabling a more precise and predictable surgery.
Professor Bowen said this latest investment reflected the hospital’s continued focus on offering patients access to the latest technology to help provide high quality care.
“Over the last four years, we have become an Australian leader in robotic-assisted orthopaedic surgeries,” she said.
“We have completed more orthopaedic surgeries using the Mako robotic-arm than any other facility in Australia since 2015, and we were first hospital in Australia to use the robot for partial knee replacement surgery.
“Our significant and continued investment enables us to offer our patients unrivalled access to robotic surgery, providing the highest quality care and services to improve their clinical outcomes and experience in our hospital.”
Australia is now the third country, after America and Germany, to have two Mako robotic-arm systems at one hospital.
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