Last week, the Department of Orthopedics of Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital (SUSTech Hospital) conduct and successfully complete the first spinal surgery, reduction and fixation of lumbar fracture, assisted by supported by TIANJI and O-arm.

This is the first time in China this surgery has been successfully completed, combining the most advanced intraoperative imaging system O-arm and the latest orthopedic TIANJI robot, allowing the patient to walk without support 24 hours after surgery.

The patient had fallen from a significant height at work, suffering severe pain and limited mobility in his lower back. The Department of Orthopedics at SUSTech Hospital diagnosed him with a rupture of his spine that needed to be operated on as soon as possible. Surgeons implemented the TIANJI robot and O-arm to assist in the precision surgery, and the patient was able to return home 24 hours after surgery following its success.

The TIANJI robot is the latest orthopedic robot that has been developed in China with fully independent intellectual property rights residing within China. It has been designed to assist full-segment spinal surgery, and pairs perfectly with the O-arm, the most advanced intraoperative imaging system, which can capture clear, high-quality 3D images, compared to traditional X-rays.

SUSTech Hospital Department of Orthopedics Director Ren Ping, said that traditional spinal surgery was usually difficult and risky due to the complex anatomical structure, the nearby nerve vessels, vital tissue, and small space in which to operate. The operation used both the O-arm and TIANJI robots to conduct minimally invasive and precise surgery.

Attending spinal surgeon of SUSTech Hospital, Wang lin, who is also a School of Medicine Associate Professor, added,“the 3D images collected by the O-arm during surgery gave us an extremely accurate map, and the TIANJI robot meant we were able to accurately navigate through the body. The combination has made the surgery safer, more precise and less invasive.”

SUSTech Hospital is actively preparing for the establishment of the SUSTech Greater Bay Area Intelligent Digital Surgery Innovation Center. In the future, it will highlight the advantages of surgical robots, 5G medical technology, 3D printing, and augmented reality imaging technology. It will seek to develop a national digital orthopedic platform of advanced technology for the Greater Bay Area.