Hershey Medical Center is the first in the region to implement advanced robotic technology for complex spine procedures

Patients seeking treatment for debilitating neck or back conditions may benefit from a new cutting edge tool in use at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The Department of Neurosurgery at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is the first in central Pennsylvania to use the Mazor X Stealth Edition Robotic Guidance Platform for minimally invasive spine surgery. For patients with complex scoliosis, degenerative disc disease or herniated discs, this technology means less invasive surgeries with smaller incisions, faster recovery time and shorter hospital stays.

The system combines pre-operative planning tools and analytics with intra-operative guidance to provide Hershey Medical Center spine surgeons with highly accurate, minimally-invasive approaches. The technology allows surgeons to create an individualized, 3D surgical plan before setting foot in the operating room. During the procedure, the automated robot arm holds surgical instruments in place and gives guidance that helps surgeons execute a custom plan while retaining full control.

“The technology afforded by the Mazor X allows for unprecedented precision and localization of anatomic structures during spine surgery,” said Dr. Robert Harbaugh, chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Hershey Medical Center. “This will not only make surgery safer with more accuracy, it will allow for more surgeries to be done in a minimally invasive manner.”

The 19 neurosurgeons and two medical neuro-oncologists in the Department of Neurosurgery at Hershey Medical Center treat and care for all diseases, disorders and injuries involving the brain, skull, spinal cord, spine, peripheral nerves and neurovascular system. The team offers specialized services in epilepsy surgery, neuro-oncology, neurocritical care and trauma, pediatric neurosurgery, peripheral nerve surgery, spine surgery, functional neurosurgery, radiosurgery and vascular/endovascular neurosurgery.

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