The operation took place at the Bethseda Ziekenhuis in Hoogeveen
A robot-assisted knee operation, which took place in Drenthe, has become the first in the Netherlands, reports RTV Drenthe.
Orthopedists Gerben Bulthuis and Olaf Verhoof, together with their team, placed both a half and a full knee prosthesis with the help of the Navio robot.
The robot uses special sensors to ‘visualise’ the knee, and examines how the joint reacts during bending and stretching. The orthopedist controls the sawing surfaces and, operates a milling cutter, whilst computer monitors the stability of the knee during the operation, says the hospital.
“The new system helps us to work more accurately, both in the case of bone removal and the placement of a half knee prosthesis,” says Bulthuis.
For the time being, this operation method will only be used for the placement of a half knee prosethesis, and later it will also be used for total prostheses will follow. The specialists also expect to be able to replace old prostheses in the future using the technique.
Treant Zorggroep, which includes Bethesda, expects GPs and other hospitals to refer patients to the hospital in Hoogeveen for the procedure.
Image via Flickr user Sescoi CAD/CAM. License here.
