KUCHING: Patients are opting for robotic orthopaedic surgery over traditional methods as it allows for swifter recovery and long-term durability.
Orthopaedic specialist Dr Lee Wood Guan said traditional methods heavily rely on the surgeon’s experience as before the technology was available, everything was done manually.
“But we could not analyse things in detail. Every patient comes in differently and the surgeon must use a lot of experience and also eye measurements to deliver results.
“But with technology, we can do things objectively. It’s like using a Global Positioning System (GPS) while driving, ensuring the shortest and most accurate route.
“The system’s preoperative planning capabilities allow surgeons to simulate procedures in advance and adjust them before surgery, ensuring minimal soft tissue damage and optimal alignment,” he said during a press conference on Robotic Orthopaedic at English Tea House here Saturday (Dec 7).
He added that the robotic technology analyses all the data objectively but it’s not just about owning a robot that guarantees results.
“This is because the surgeon must also master the technique of interpreting the robotic data and how to manipulate it to achieve the alignment with minimal soft tissue damage. That’s what we want.
“So, with the data there, we analyse it before we move, before we cut, before we do anything. We manipulate the data before we act. It’s not like you take one step, then think about the next. Before you start, you already have the full plan for the patient.
“You can even play with the software before the surgery. Because from the preoperative data, you can already create a model of the knee before you even start,” he said.
He added that although robotic surgery costs more than traditional methods, patients would benefit in the long term, including implants that can last over 30 years, making it a worthwhile investment for them.
This advanced technology aimed to improve the precision and efficiency of knee replacement surgeries, ultimately providing better outcomes for patients.
“Both the Robotic Surgical Assistant (ROSA) and Robotic-Assisted Solution (VELYS) are highly reliable robotic systems widely used in countries such as the United States, Europe, Japan, and Australia. Each has its own advantages, and these advancements allow surgeons to achieve unparalleled accuracy during surgery.
“With ongoing state infrastructure development, including direct international flights and plans to build a new airport, it is expected to stimulate health tourism in the state,” he said.
