Surgeons welcome Mako robot as debate continues over benefits of robotic-assisted TKA

MedTech & Diagnostics News: Ramsay Health Care’s Northern Private Hospital has unveiled the state-of-the-art Stryker Mako robot to enhance the precision of partial and total knee and hip replacements.

Earlier this month, Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Andrew Gong performed the hospital’s first surgery using the Mako system.

“The Mako robot enables the surgeon to develop a 3D patient-specific plan, based on the patient’s own anatomy, and to carry out that plan with increased accuracy and reproducibility,” Dr Gong explained. “The robot is designed to offer better patient outcomes, including less disruption to soft tissue, meaning less pain in the early recovery period.”

He added, “The planning software also allows us to perform a virtual range of motion check before hip surgery, which can identify potential future issues like dislocation, so we can adjust the component position to avoid the problem.”

However, recent data presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) from over 9,000 patients aged 65 and older revealed that revision rates for conventional and robotic-assisted cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were similar two years post-operatively. The study, analysing the American Joint Replacement Registry, also found no significant difference in the odds of revision due to infection or mechanical loosening between the two approaches.

“We were a little surprised that there wasn’t at least some indication of better outcomes,” remarked lead author Lucas Nikkel, Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Despite these findings, Northern Private Hospital remains committed to offering the latest advancements in surgical care.

Dr Gong is among three surgeons at the hospital trained to use the Mako robot, and he is enthusiastic about the accessibility it provides to local patients.

“I think it’s great that Northern Private Hospital has invested in this technology. Having access to the Mako here enables patients in the Northern suburbs to have modern, robotic-assisted surgery without having to travel longer distances or into the inner city,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Northern Private Hospital CEO Shaune Gillespie expressed his excitement about the hospital’s new capabilities.

“Patients north of Melbourne can now have surgery supported by highly advanced robotic technology without having to travel into the CBD,” Gillespie stated.

“We’re committed to offering the local community leading private health care services close to home, and we’re proud to invest in robotic technology which is designed to offer improved surgical outcomes for patients.”

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