Key facts
- Epworth Geelong opened in 2016
- First Mako robot in the region
- Four Mako robots across Epworth hospitals
We are proud that Epworth Geelong is the first hospital in the region to pioneer the use of a Mako robot in orthopaedic surgery.
A Mako robot is set to make a difference to orthopaedic surgery at Epworth Geelong.
The robot will be used in hip and knee replacement procedures in what Leonie Lloyd, Executive General Manager, Epworth Geelong said was a first for the region.
“Epworth HealthCare introduced its first Mako robot in Melbourne four years ago,” Ms Lloyd said.
“We are proud that Epworth Geelong is the first hospital in the region to pioneer the use of a Mako robot in orthopaedic surgery.”
Until now, orthopaedic surgeons would be guided by patient X-rays, taken in the days or weeks leading up to surgery.
“Mako allows you to overlay 3-dimensional imaging via a CT scan, with live navigation, so you can perform incredibly precise cuts and implant position. The robot can even factor in the patient’s soft tissues when implanting the joint replacement, giving individualised patient specific positioning” Ms Lloyd said.
Training underway
Orthopaedic surgeons are now undertaking training and certification on the Mako with the first robotic procedure at Epworth Geelong expected early in the new year.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Andrew Thomson said the robotic technology allows for precise surgical planning and prosthesis implantation.
“The improved pre-operative planning and precision enabled by the robotic platform, ultimately leads to a more accurate placement of the joint replacement and potentially less damage to a patient’s soft tissues. There is evidence that this can more accurately restore a patient’s anatomy and therefore improve the functional result of the surgery” Dr Thomson said.
The Mako robot at Epworth Geelong is the fourth used at Epworth, with two operating at Epworth Richmond and one at Epworth Eastern.
