In a Sunshine Coast first, patients requiring back or spinal surgery can now seek treatment at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital in Buderim instead of travelling to Brisbane.
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital has invested in cutting-edge technology that takes the guess work out of intricate ‘real time’ surgery by providing a ‘second-sight’ to the technical skill of the surgeon which results in less time in the operating theatre and better outcomes for patients.
Neurosurgeon Dr Janusz Bonkowski said the introduction of these procedures on the Sunshine Coast was a huge step forward.
“I am happy to be able to offer this procedure to our community and give people the choice of having back or spinal surgery right here on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.
“I have been performing these procedures at Brisbane hospitals for many years with excellent results and it is fantastic that I can now offer local patients the ability to seek their treatment close to their home and support networks.
“The new technology provides surgeons with the ability to navigate a 3D map of the body part undergoing surgery which allows them to pinpoint more accurately the exact position of surgical instruments during a procedure.
“As computer-assisted surgery may be less-invasive, time spent on the operating table is reduced and patient recovery times are quicker.
“By enhancing operational accuracy, this new technology can help me plan my approach during surgery and provide more information about the patient’s unique anatomy.”
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital Acting General Manager Adriana Leonardi said the area was a large and growing regional centre and residents needed access to these sophisticated services closeby.
“The introduction of these breakthrough back and spinal procedures complement the hospital’s wide range of surgical services including vascular and general surgery, urology and urodynamics, colorectal, opthalmology, plastic and cosmetic, ear, nose and throat, orthopaedic, oral and maxillofacial, and endoscopic services."
The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital has been serving the community for 35 years and is part of Uniting Care Health - one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Queensland which operates almost 1000 licensed beds across four hospitals.