HIC Launches Robotic Era in Orthopedic Surgery

• Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) announces the revolutionary incorporation of robotic technology in orthopedic surgery, enabling highly personalized interventions with significant benefits.
• The Mako robotic system, a pioneer in the region and one of the first in the country stands out for its efficiency in total knee, hip, and partial knee replacements. The process begins with a CT scan, which generates a three-dimensional image of the patient's unique anatomy.
• The implementation of this technology has shown impressive results, including a significant reduction in the need for analgesics and hospital stays. This advance aims to benefit patients nationally and worldwide, setting a milestone in medical care and consolidating the hospital as a leader in innovation.

Bucaramanga, December 2023. The Hospital Internacional de Colombia (HIC) announces the incorporation of state-of-the-art robotic technology in orthopedic surgery. This revolutionary change enables highly personalized interventions, providing benefits such as early rehabilitation, efficiency in surgical time, reduction of postoperative pain, and an experience tailored to the individual needs of each patient. 

The Mako robotic system, from U.S.-based Stryker, integrates three key components: three-dimensional CT-based planning, AccuStop haptic technology (which simulates the user's sense of touch and movement through electronic devices), and detailed data analysis. The platform has shown better outcomes in patients requiring total knee, hip, or partial knee replacement.

The process begins with a computed tomography (CT) scan that creates a unique three-dimensional image of the patient's anatomy. This information is essential for the elaboration of the surgical plan, allowing for an accurate evaluation of the joint. According to Dr. Carlos Enrique Osorio, manager of the Institute of Orthopedics, Traumatology, and Rheumatology at HIC, the goal is to achieve highly personalized surgery. In this process, the robotic arm plays a crucial role in guiding the cuts in the bone tissue to ensure safer prostheses and better balance. The bottom line is that the patient experiences a biological sensation without noticeable changes in bone structure.

Dr. Osorio refers to the two surgical approaches: the conventional one, where the cuts are made manually and depends on the orthopedist's training and experience, and the option with the robotic arm, which incorporates these skills but with superior precision. "This accuracy is achieved through careful planning: the CT scan is sent to a medical center in the United States; this center provides information on the position of the arm during surgery, significantly improving the accuracy of the procedure. The purpose is to support orthopedists and to increase patient satisfaction and safety," he says.

The implementation of this technology involves two essential steps: training of the HIC medical team at the Mako Education Center and local training accompanied by experts from Latin America. Both aim to ensure successful integration throughout the process.

As a pioneer in the region with this technology, HIC has the continuous support of Stryker for 90 days in the initial phase, thus guaranteeing a successful implementation. Trust in the expertise of the specialists and the constant commitment to safety and innovation are fundamental pillars that reinforce the effective resolution of the challenges that arise, consolidating the hospital as a leader in the adoption of cutting-edge innovations.

In this context, Dr. Victor Raul Castillo Mantilla, president of the FCV, emphasizes: "Being a HIMSS 7 hospital, which implies the adoption of digital technology to optimize our hospital processes, we are establishing an essential platform to make the jump into artificial intelligence (AI). Our vision is that soon the hospital will be immersed in a full AI process in all areas of its operations. AI in all its management areas will significantly improve safety in the treatment of patients." Dr. Castillo also emphasizes that, with this new investment in robotic surgery, the aim is to have an innovative approach without incurring cost increases and to ensure that all people fully benefit from these technological improvements.

The advance not only seeks to benefit local patients but is also projected nationally and worldwide. With safety standards and quality accreditations, HIC aims to transform the modern management of users, setting a milestone in medical care.

Results with Mako 

Mako technology in orthopedic surgery has demonstrated outstanding results. According to a study of 40 patients, knee replacement with this technology is linked to a significant reduction in the need for analgesics, 26% less hospital stay, fewer physical therapy sessions, and less postoperative pain. In a follow-up of at least 3 years with 51 partial knee replacement patients, no implant-related failures or complications were recorded, and patient satisfaction reached 96.1%.

A cadaver study reveals that total hip surgery with Mako surpasses the accuracy of manual implantation. In addition, the haptic technology guides precise cuts, adapting to the patient's needs when preserving soft tissue or preserving healthy bone.

"This progress toward robotic surgery in orthopedics, and soon in general surgery, marks an important achievement for the institution. As we move into the 21st century technology, we hope to maintain our leadership among hospitals in Colombia and Latin America in this new digital era of artificial intelligence and robotics," says Dr. Castillo.

Dr. Osorio also comments: "This technology is available to everyone. From HIC, we invite people who are considering a surgical plan or a joint replacement to trust that our institution now has state-of-the-art technology to meet those needs.

The adoption of this equipment represents an important step for HIC, which is driving a new era of medical care with precision, safety, and innovation in the service of health."