PANJIM: The Department of Orthopaedics at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) recently performed Goa’s first ever robotic Total Knee Replacement (TKR) surgery.
By introducing this ground breaking technology to the state, Prof and Head of Department (HoD) of Orthopaedics department Dr Shivanand M Bandekar assisted by his team operated on a 67-year-old female patient from Margao with disabling osteoarthritis of the knee using most advanced Robot from USA.
Robotic Total Knee Replacement allows the surgeon to perform bone cuts with ultra-precision with minimal bone loss and bleeding. The Robotic-assisted device uses an infrared camera and optical trackers to help the surgeon gather the necessary data about the anatomy to achieve a high level of precision thereby removing the damaged cartilage with accuracy.
The robotic device does not operate on its own but is manned by the surgeon using his technical and technological expertise. The entire surgery was performed using a smaller incision and negligible blood loss thereby allowing speedy patient recovery. The operated patient, (name withheld) who is already walking comfortably, the day after surgery is pleased with her result. This landmark event, makes GMC the first Government institute in the region to perform a Robotic Total Knee Replacement.
Dr Bandekar, a firm advocate of blending tradition with innovatory insight believes that in the coming years, such innovation will open the doors to this futuristic facility for the people of Goa.
In the age of artificial intelligence, Robotic TKR will revolutionise joint replacement surgery as a powerful alternative to conventional Total Knee Replacement.