The world’s first-of-its-kind dual robotic surgery was performed on April 23 at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem.
The revolutionary dual robotic surgery assisted in the repair of a severe spinal fracture suffered by Aharon Schwartz, a factory worker in Jerusalem who was injured when a steel object pinned him to the ground, fracturing his leg in two places and breaking six of his spinal vertebrae. The 3-hour surgery took place in the state-of-the-art $30M underground hybrid operating theater at Hadassah’s Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower.
Schwartz, age 42, suffering six broken vertebrae and leg fractures in two places, Mr. Schwartz was brought to the underground hybrid operating room in Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem’s Sarah Wetsman Davidson Hospital Tower. “In the hybrid room are two robots,” explains Prof. Meir Liebergall, head of Hadassah’s Orthopedic Department. “The more innovative of the two is the Zeego. It allows three-dimensional imagining while a surgeon is operating — which is unusual during surgery. This lets the surgeon know exactly where each organ is, and he no longer has to rely on CT scans before surgery and X-rays after the surgery. The Zeego robot was controlled by Senior Orthopedic Surgeon Josh Schroeder, working together with Dr. Amal Khouri, who controlled another robot named Renaissance, developed by Israel’s Mazor Robotics. The two robots communicated with each other during the surgery, when 11 orthopedic screws were inserted with exactitude — precision that can be achieved with the use of the robots, preventing much suffering to the patient.”
Schwartz relates: “I work in a large factory outside of Jerusalem and have to build large metal surfaces. Before I could begin, a wall of steel fell on me, pinning me to the ground. The pain was unbelievable and I couldn’t move. I saw death in front of me. I understand that I’ll be able to walk once the leg improves. I am so grateful. My son will have a Dad. What amazing technology at Hadassah and what a caring staff that checks on me all the time. I don’t take it for granted.”
National President of Hadassah, Ellen Hershkin, states; “Once again, HMO achieves another world-first – a dual robot-assisted spinal surgery, solidifying its reputation for world class medical innovation and treatment. Our congratulations go to Dr. Liebergall and his brilliant surgical team for continuing Hadassah’s mission of bringing ground-breaking medical care to the people of Israel.”
The Mazor Robotics Renaissance® Guidance System transforms spine surgery from freehand procedures to highly-accurate, state-of-the-art procedures that may reduce fluoroscopy—even for minimally-invasive surgery (MIS), scoliosis, and other complex spinal deformity cases.
The Siemens Artis Zeego® Robotic Technology enables smoother, swifter and trouble-free patient positioning and execution procedures.
Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, Inc. (HWZOA) is the largest Jewish women’s organization in the United States. With 3 3 0,000 members , associates and supporters Hadassah brings Jewish women together to effect change and advocate on critical issues such as medical care and research and women’s empowerment. Through the Hadassah Medical Organization’s two hospitals, the world-renowned trauma center and the leading research facility in Jerusalem, Hadassah supports the delivery of exemplary patient care to over a million people every year. HMO serves without regard to race, religion or nationality and earned a Nobel Peace Prize Nomination in 2005 for building “bridges to peace” through equality in medical treatment. For more information, visit hadassah.org
