Elevating Patient Care: New Approaches to Orthopedic Robotic Surgery
As one of the only dedicated spine and orthopedic surgical hospital and ambulatory surgery center networks on the West Coast, Hoag Orthopedic Institute (HOI) provides 5-star orthopedic and spine care to patients*. HOI performs the highest volume of total joint surgeries in the Western United States and is a trusted orthopedic leader in Southern California and beyond. Since opening in 2010, HOI has consistently been at the forefront of adopting new technologies for orthopedic procedures. HOI has specifically invested in robotic technology at its main orthopedic hospital in Irvine, along with its its ambulatory surgery centers, giving patients unparalleled access to the latest, innovative treatment options.
As a result, in 2024 HOI’s robotic surgical volume continued to grow. The Hoag Orthopedic Institute network now has 10 orthopedic surgical robots currently in use throughout its enterprise. Robotic approaches facilitate high predictability, reproducibility and outcomes for surgeon users while allowing for new approaches.
The successful integration of the ROSA® Robotic System is just one example of the innovative robotic technologies offered at Hoag. HOI physicians are actively researching and refining robotic assistance for various orthopedic procedures. While robotic-assisted orthopedic surgery is a popular treatment option for hip and knee arthroplasty, the system has recently shown promise for use in total shoulder arthroplasty.
A first for California
Dr. Hafiz Kassam, Director of the Shoulder Reconstruction Division at Hoag Orthopedic Institute, recently completed the first robotic assisted reverse shoulder replacement in
California. He is the fifth surgeon in the world to utilize robotic assisted guidance in shoulder arthroplasty.
“The Rosa Robotic system for shoulder arthroplasty is a transformative advancement in the field of orthopedic surgery. It allows for unprecedented precision in the placement of implants, with the hope of ultimately improving the long-term stability of the shoulder and enhancing patient outcomes.
This system isn’t just a tool—it’s a revolution in how we approach shoulder arthroplasty, offering both surgeons and patients the benefits of personalized and more predictable surgical results,” shares Kassam.
The early results of this initial procedure are promising and will guide how HOI approaches shoulder surgeries in the future. Among the number of benefits of this technology, the ROSA® system offers:
- Precision and Consistency: The ROSA® Robotic system allows for unprecedented accuracy in positioning the shoulder implant, which can significantly reduce the risk of complications due to malposition. While digital planning software exists, execution of patient specific plans for shoulder replacements is still manual, via analog technologies. This technology allows for a digital execution of a digital plan.
- Personalized Surgical Planning: The system enables surgeons to tailor the procedure based on the patient’s unique anatomy and needs, offering better alignment and a more customized fit of the shoulder prosthesis.
- Faster Recovery and Improved Outcomes: Early data suggests that patients undergoing robotic-assisted replacement in the hip and knee may experience quicker recovery times, reduced post-operative pain, and higher levels of patient satisfaction. With HOI’s recent use of this technology for shoulder surgery, surgeons will be working to translate these results to this new orthopedic space.
A Foundation for Success
Not only does HOI perform the highest number of joint replacement procedures in the Western United States, it also performs the most spine surgeries in Orange County—an area of continued growth for the enterprise in both the inpatient and outpatient settings.
At HOI Surgery Center Beverly Hills, renowned spine surgeon Alexandre Rasouli, MD, used the Globus Surgical-assist robot for a spinal remediation surgery. With the Globus Medical device, the robot enables real-time medical imaging on the day of surgery, facilitating precise screw placement and customized surgical planning for improved outcomes and minimally invasive procedures.
Among Hoag’s many accomplishments, Dr. Travis Scudday recently performed the first Corin Apollo™ robotic knee replacement on the West Coast. The Apollo system, featuring ApolloKnee™ software, allows for a force-controlled robotic assessment of the knee before any bone cuts are made.
Looking to the future, HOI is continually evaluating new technologies that can support its physicians in providing the best patient experience and outcomes. HOI’s “why” – getting patients ‘Back to You’—fuels its innovation and focus on outcomes and quality.
