Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical robotic-assisted program advances spine surgery

Hackensack Meridian Pascack Valley Medical Center has added Excelsius GPS to the hospital’s robotic-assisted surgery program, giving patients a minimally invasive option for complex spine surgeries.

Orthopedic surgeons Dr. Rafael Levin and Dr. Evan Baird completed the hospital’s first procedure using the new robot in mid-October.

Excelsius GPS is designed to improve safety and accuracy within the operating room. Controlled by a surgeon, the robotic navigation platform is the world’s first technology to combine a rigid robotic arm and full navigation capabilities into one platform for accurate trajectory alignment in spine surgery. The robot’s instruments allow surgeons to operate using smaller incisions and with greater reach during surgery.

“The robot allows us to have a higher level of precision,” Levin said. “The procedure is minimally-invasive, and patients generally experience less pain post-surgery, have a quicker recovery and a shorter length of stay in the hospital.”

“We are excited to bring this cutting-edge technology to our community hospital and provide patients with innovative options to improve their well-being,” Emily Holliman, CEO of Pascack Valley Medical Center, said. “The hospital has been performing robotic-assisted surgeries since 2018, and the addition of the Excelsius GPS gives our community access to high-quality care closer to home.”

In addition to the Excelsius GPS, Pascack Valley Medical Center’s robotic-assisted surgery program includes the Senhance Surgical System, the Mako Robotic Surgical System and the da Vinci System. Innovative surgical robotics technology enables Pascack Valley Medical Center surgeons to provide personalized surgical experiences in knee and hip replacement, gynecology, bariatric surgery, general surgery and spine surgery.