Mazor X comes to the Central Region

Hartford HealthCare (HHC) became the first healthcare system in the Northeast to pioneer the latest robotic technology for spine surgery. The new robotic system, called Mazor X, gives surgeons the most-advanced resources to enhance patient safety and accuracy in planning and performing spine surgeries. Mazor X robotic surgery is available at the Bone & Joint Institute at Hartford Hospital and at MidState Medical Center. Surgeons will use the technology for spinal fusion procedures to treat conditions such as spinal stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Patients with these conditions often suffer from debilitating symptoms such as lower back pain, leg pain and sciatica. Over time, surgeons also will apply the robotic technology to procedures for the thoracic and cervical vertebrae to treat spinal deformities such as scoliosis.

During surgery, bone tissue, screws and plates are placed in the problem area of the spine, and the body’s natural bone growth gradually fuses the vertebrae. The procedure requires precise placement of surgical screws and implants, and that’s where Mazor X comes in. Surgeons can develop a detailed plan well before the surgery takes place.

“The patient has a preoperative CT scan, and the images are downloaded to the Mazor X software,” said MidState Medical Center neurosurgeon, Dr. Joel Bauman. “On the computer, the surgeon plans and positions the screw images within the spine image. You get a three-dimensional image you can rotate on the screen to make sure it’s what you want.”

Seeing the patient’s complete spine in three dimensions prior to surgery increases the efficiency of the operation, helping to ensure the surgeon won’t encounter anything unexpected once the procedure is underway. It also helps with more accurate placement of the hardware.

A possible complication of spinal-fusion surgery in the past has been that the vertebrae above the fused area could develop problems over time. This may occur because implants at the top of the fused area irritate adjacent joints. Mazor X helps avoid that complication.

“We have a long tradition of using robotic technology to improve patient care,” said Dr. Bauman. “We’re excited to bring this revolutionary technology to patients across Connecticut.”