Virginia Beach, VA (November 16, 2011) –Neurosurgery and orthopedic surgeons at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital are the first in Hampton Roads to use the new technology of the O-arm®, an imaging system. This system provides more precise, instantaneous information during spinal surgery, enhancing the spine program at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital.
The O-arm® Surgical Imaging System assists neurosurgery and orthopedic surgeons by providing high-quality, 2D and 3D images of the patient’s body and organs in an instant during surgery. Using these images, the surgeon makes precise decisions, delicately move around spinal nerves and organs to preserve healthy tissue and more accurately place hardware during surgery.
Once the operation is completed, surgeons use the O-arm system to verify the accuracy of the procedure before the patient leaves the operating room.
Within seconds, the O-arm can be repositioned quickly to allow the surgeon to view the surgical area from many angles, providing high quality images comparable to fixed CT systems. Designed with a circular “O” structure hinged on a moveable base, it transforms itself into a “C” shape as it remotely opens up one side to easily accommodate a patient on the operating table during surgery, permitting unrestricted patient access.
The O-arm system greatly increases the accuracy of screw placement during spinal surgery from 57 percent to 98 percent. Inaccurate screw placement is the number one reason for back surgery failure and could lead to repeated spinal fusions.
Both neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons use this technology to obtain critical information during different phases of spinal fusions and surgery. The O-arm system, manufactured and distributed by Medtronic, Inc., was approved by the FDA in 2006.
Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital
For more health information and the latest news, visit Sentara News or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.