LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) – A robot performing spine surgery: It’s happening in acadiana and doctors say it’s proved to be successful for both surgeons and patients. According to doctors, it’s one of the biggest innovations in spine surgery. It’s the EXCELSIUS GPS and it allows for smaller and more accurate incisions. 

Spine surgeon Dr. Lon Baronne II has worked with the robotic arm for about a year now – completing more than 100 surgeries.

“We’ve seen a remarkable reduction in the amount of radiation we have to expose patients to, a reduction in OR time, we’ve seen patients come out of surgery and recover much quicker,” Dr. Baronne said.

The doctors at Louisiana Orthopedic Specialists were the first to use the robotic arm in the state. It’s used mainly for lumbar and cervical fusion surgery. 

“For the patients it’s bringing world class healthcare, technologically advanced healthcare right here to the patients of Acadiana,” said Brandon Moore, CEO of Park Place Hospital.

Surgeons program a plan and tell the robotic arm exactly what to do and what incisions to make.

“We maintain control of the robotic arm 100% of the time and it’s pre-programmed to what the surgeon wants to achieve. It’s really a very fancy assistant in surgery,” Dr. Baronne said.

The team is now training physicans from around the country on how to use the robotic arm in surgery – always looking for the latest technology to help patients.