patient's unique anatomy. He's able to place a perfectly sized implant
in the joint's centerline to maintain the kinetic balance of the joint's
ligaments. The implant won't feel loose after surgery, eliminating a
common post-op complaint among patients.
Dr. Nessler also points out that the precision provided by robotic
assistance lets him make real-time adjustments by referring to the 3D
scan and making accurate bone cuts based on the patient's specific
anatomy. Surgeons who rely on mechanical alignment, he says, might
have to make recuts in the bone or release more soft tissue to make
sure the implant is placed in a balanced knee. Avoiding the release of
soft tissue results in less post-op pain, according to Dr. Nessler.
"I essentially no longer have to do soft tissue releases after I've
made my bone cuts," he says. "That lets me place implants in 25 to 35
minutes after making an incision. That's pretty remarkable."
The approximate $1 million price tag hanging from a robotic arm is
a big nut to swallow on the front end, but the technology lets you add
more cases because of savvy patients who want their procedures per-
formed in facilities outfitted with cutting-edge technology, according
to Julie Tonsager, ADN, operating room manager at St. Cloud Surgical
Center. "It's a significant initial expense, to be sure, but when we look
back at adding the technology, it's paid for itself," she says.
Part of that return on investment involves capturing uni-knees in the
marketplace. Ms. Tonsager says the precision offered by robotics gives
1 6 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A U G U S T 2 0 1 9
Make plans now to attend OR Excellence in New Orleans from
Oct. 3-5 where members of the St. Cloud (Minn.) Surgical Center
team will run a special workshop on how to run a world-class
total joints program. Visit orexcellence.com for more informa-
tion about the conference program and how to register.
