Dr. Kim Johnston and Nandan Hichkad, PA-C of the Georgia Neurosurgical Institute (GNI) have introduced a new minimally invasive option for spinal surgeries to Middle Georgia, using a new robotic procedure to repair severe spinal damage that a patient sustained in a vehicle crash. 

The procedure was the first of its kind to be performed in Georgia and was performed at Atrium Health Navicent in Macon.

Utilizing the Mazor X Stealth Edition Robotic system, the surgical team was able to perform a “facet decortication/fusion and bone graft delivery,” an operation in which the surface of the patient’s affected vertebrae is scraped in order to speed up the body's acceptance of a bone graft and spinal fusion. The new robotic tool and surgical procedure allow the procedure to be carried out, including screw placement, in a minimally invasive way.

“Given that this process can now be accomplished utilizing a minimally invasive surgical technique with the Mazor robot helps preserve our minimalistic approach, which results in minimal patient blood loss and quicker recovery times,” explains Hichkad. "Also, this technique not only applies to our trauma patients but to our outpatients in need of elective spine surgery, as well."

GNI is the only surgery center in Georgia with a Mazor robotic system for minimally invasive surgical procedures. Dr. Johnston and Nandan Hichkad were the first two providers at GNI to start performing robotic procedures. 

Since the system's adoption in 2015, GNI providers have used it to perform more than 1,600 Mazor Robotic spine procedures at GNI Surgery Center and more than 3,000 total across Macon.

For more details about Georgia Neurosurgical Institute, please visit their website at www.ganeuroandspine.com.