Spinal patients at The Walton Centre NHS Foundation Trust have begun to benefit from a groundbreaking new surgical robotic navigation system – one of the first of its kind to be used in the NHS.

Called the ‘ExcelsiusGPS’, manufactured by Globus Medical UK Ltd, the new innovation will see patients spend less time in theatre and potentially reduce recovery time after major spinal surgery.

Consultant Spinal Surgeon and Metastatic Spinal Cord Compression Surgical Lead Miss Maggie Lee said: “This amazing piece of technology enhances what we currently have in surgery. The system enables us to operate with a higher degree of accuracy in navigation, so we can progress through the stages of the procedure much quicker. There is also a reduction in X-ray imaging needed during the operation. This means patients will be in surgery for a much shorter time and therefore hopefully have a much shorter stay in hospital.”

The system involves a rigid robotic arm, tracked and fully navigated by a camera, which is then programmed to follow a trajectory pre-planned by our surgeons. This allows them to facilitate placement of spinal screws and interbody cages to an incredibly high level of precision. 

Consultant Spinal Surgeon & Clinical Lead for Complex Spine Mr Simon Clark said: “Research into robot assisted navigation for spinal procedures shows that it’s considerably more accurate than previous freehand methods. This incredible system is not only going to allow us to improve accuracy and therefore clinical outcomes, but enhance patient experience and also improve training the next generation of spinal surgeons.”

Chief Executive Jan Ross said: “This exciting new innovation is going to change the face of spinal surgery here at The Walton Centre and beyond. Our surgeons have already successfully operated on patients with the ExcelciusGPS navigation system and are planning to apply benefits of this new tech to many more procedures. The team has worked incredibly hard to get this project across the line, they are pioneering how spinal operations can be modernised for the NHS going forward. This system will mean a more efficient service for our patients.” 

In collaboration with Globus Medical UK Ltd, the Trust will use the revolutionary equipment to deliver robotic spinal services. The Trust will also have the unique opportunity to become a training and education centre for the UK, showcasing the services provided to its patients on a national and international platform.

President of Imaging, Navigation and Robotics at Globus Medical Jay Martin said: “It’s a significant milestone for both Globus Medical and the NHS Trust to collaborate through technology innovation to fundamentally change the future of spine surgery in the UK.”