Halifax hospital first in Canada to use ‘game changing’ robot for spinal surgeries

The $3 million-project will be fully funded by QEII Foundation donors

CITYNEWS HALIFAX \ Meghan Groff

A team at the QEII Health Sciences Centre recently completed Canada’s first spinal surgery using what is being called a “game changing technology.”

Medtronic’s MAZOR™ X Stealth Edition is an innovative robotic arm that is controlled by a surgeon. According to Nova Scotia Health, it offers “unparalleled accuracy and consistency” during spinal surgeries, which means improved outcomes for patients.

The health authority says robot-assisted surgery allows for tiny and precise movements that wouldn’t be possible with the human hand alone. This leads to less pain, less damage to healthy tissues and structures, shorter recovery times and fewer complications.

The $3 million-project will be fully funded by donors to the QEII Foundation, which is now actively raising funds to support the robot’s continued use.

Nova Scotia Health says the addition of the leading-edge technology will not only transform the future of spinal surgeries in this province, but will support the recruitment and retention of clinical and research expertise.

Neurosurgeon Dr. Sean Christie and his team completed the inaugural spinal robotic procedure in late July.

“Thanks to the dedication of Medtronic, the Nova Scotia Health Innovation Hub, and the QEII Foundation, we have the incredible honor of being the first hospital in Canada to use this game-changing technology,” said Dr. Christie in a news release.

“The generosity of the QEII Foundation and their donors has enabled me and other spine surgeons to have access to state-of-the-art equipment that will help to better the lives of Nova Scotians. This project has been a great example of the power of philanthropy and collaboration and I look forward to many successful outcomes with this growing partnership.”

Nova Scotia Health says the QEII Health Science Centre’s latest addition to its surgical robotics roster will help further establish the hospital as a Canadian leader in innovative, research and care.

In 2019, it started using robotics technology for urological and gynecological cancer surgeries, which was then expanded to ear, nose and throat (ENT) cancer surgeries.

A year later, the Halifax hospital became the first in Canada to use new robotic technology for brain surgery.

And recently, the QEII became the second in Canada to use robotic technology for orthopedic surgery.