Munson surgeon: New robotic tool lets us 'precisely execute' the surgical plan

CADILLAC, Mich. — Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital has become the first hospital in the Cadillac region to offer a robotic-assisted surgical system for orthopedic procedures, giving surgeons real-time feedback during knee replacement operations.

The hospital recently introduced the ROSA system, technology designed to help surgeons more accurately carry out individualized surgical plans for each patient. Munson Health in Gaylord and Traverse City have the ROSA system.

Dr. Joseph Ward, an orthopedic surgeon at the hospital specializing in hip and knee replacements, said the system is a tool that supports, but does not replace, a surgeon's expertise.

"It's a really high-tech tool that a surgeon has in his or her toolbox to accurately execute the plan that they have for that patient," Ward said. "But it's up to the surgeon and the surgeon's training and the surgeon's knowledge — and the surgeon's discussion with the patient and the review of their X-rays — to come up with a plan that best suits that patient."

Ward said patients in the region previously had to travel outside the area for access to similar technology.

"Between Traverse City and Grand Rapids, there hasn't been access to this," he said. "I think bringing us to the community in Cadillac is a really awesome thing."

The system allows surgeons to personalize procedures for individual patients, Ward said.

"It allows the surgeon to precisely execute the plan that the surgeon has for that individual patient, so it allows you to personalize it," he said.

Dr. Brent Geers, an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon who recently joined Munson Healthcare in Cadillac, said the technology allows for greater consistency during surgery.

"Utilizing the robot, utilizing those different points that we can then adjust on the screen, which then brings in that cutting guide to the perfect angle that we've already predetermined," Geers said. "Which gives us that reproducible cut, reproducible thickness that we take away and then re-implement with the implants."

Munson Healthcare Cadillac Hospital hosted a live demonstration of the ROSA system for media, along with interviews with Ward and Geers, and offered photo and video access inside the operating room.

Munson surgeon: New robotic tool lets us 'precisely execute' the surgical plan

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