Surgeon clocks up Mako milestone

There is a team involving the surgeon and assistant, anaesthetic staff, theatre technicians, nurses and the scrub team, all working together, to get the best possible outcome for the patient.

Key facts

• Epworth introduced the Mako robot in 2018
• Used to assist surgeons in hip and knee replacement cases

An Epworth HealthCare orthopaedic surgeon has notched up a milestone, completing his 1000th robotic joint replacement operation using the Mako surgical robot.

Mr Andrew Tang was one of the first Epworth surgeons to use the Mako robot in knee and hip replacement surgery, when it arrived at Epworth Richmond in early 2018.

Mr Tang’s 1000th Mako robotic surgical patient was an elderly woman who had arthritis in her knee and could barely walk.

The robotic technology enables precise surgical planning and implantation of the replacement joint.

Mr Tang said while it is pleasing to be able to help 1000 patients over the last five years, it was only possible with the support of a large team.

“The theatre team is extremely important,” Mr Tang said.

“The robot must be prepared before each surgery, with specific planning for each patient. Once in theatre, there is a team involving the surgeon and assistant, anaesthetic staff, theatre technicians, nurses and the scrub team, all working together, to get the best possible outcome for the patient.”

“An increasing number of these robotic surgeries are revision operations, where patients previously had a joint replacement using traditional surgery. Over the years, the joint has worn out and patients are opting to have it replaced in surgery using the robotic technology due to its many advantages.”

Mr Tang said the Mako robot was one of several different robots available to Epworth surgeons.

“Epworth has a history of making an investment in modern technology and robotics,” Mr Tang said.

“All of the surgeons are grateful that Epworth had the vision to embrace robotic technology to bring us into the 21st century.”

Epworth Richmond is the largest robotic surgery hospital in Victoria. Epworth has developed its own robotic surgery training and credentialling program for orthopaedic surgeons, which is now used in other hospitals.

Mako surgical robots are also used at Epworth Eastern and Epworth Geelong.