Sunshine Coast-first spinal and neurosurgical imaging system introduced

In a Sunshine Coast first, the Buderim Private Hospital has introduced a new surgical navigation system called an O-ARM^TM, which provides patients undergoing spinal and neurosurgical treatment with better health outcomes and shorter times in theatre.

The Medtronic O-ARM^TM O2 Multidimensional Surgical Imaging System was commissioned at Buderim Private Hospital last month and is the only system of its kind north of Brisbane.

Wallis Westbrook, General Manager of the Buderim Private Hospital, said the non-profit hospital continues to invest in new technology to provide the highest level of care to Sunshine Coast patients and the community.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this breakthrough new service and continue our long commitment of providing leading-edge, high quality and personalised healthcare services to the people of the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Westbrook said.

“We are investing around $2million in the navigation system, upgraded microscopes and theatre tables, to ensure our community is able to access and benefit from the latest surgical technology right here on the Sunshine Coast,” he said.

“The introduction of the O-ARM^TM for spinal and neurological procedures further complements our hospital’s wide range of surgical services, which includes vascular and  general surgery, urology and urodynamics, colorectal, ophthalmology, plastic and cosmetic, ear, nose and throat, orthopaedic, oral and maxillofacial, and endoscopic services.”

The O-ARM^TM is suitable for use in a variety of spinal and orthopaedic surgical procedures including cervical spine, minimally-invasive and open lumbar and thoracic spine cases and provides surgeons with images from multiple perspectives whilst the patient is being operated on.

Dr Greg Finch, an Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon operating at the Buderim Private Hospital, said he has already utilised the new technology with more than 10 patients at the hospital.

“I think it shows a great deal of foresight for the Buderim Private Hospital to recognise there is a big need for spinal services here on the Sunshine Coast and that you don’t have to travel to Brisbane to access highly-trained surgeons with world-class equipment – there is nothing better in the world than what we have right here and I think that’s pretty amazing,” Dr Finch said.

“Basically the O-ARM^TM is an intra-operative, CT quality, real-time imaging system that allows us to monitor screws as they go in, and make adjustments on the spot if needed, so we have complete knowledge and visualisation of what we’re doing,” he said.

“The O-ARM^TM really is the gold standard of imagery inside a theatre - I am able to get very detailed three dimensional images which I have found are as good as a CT scan, and these images are in real-time and individualised to the patient’s individual anatomy.”

“As a minimally-invasive surgeon who makes small incisions, I rely quite heavily on my imaging and so for me the benefits are fantastic – and for my patients it has resulted in even smaller incisions, decreased blood loss, shorter hospital stays and decreased time in theatre,” he said.

Spinal surgery and the benefits it can offer people who are experiencing long-term pain was the subject of a recent Care to Share video which was presented by another of the hospital’s credentialed spinal surgeons, Dr Stephen Byrne.

Buderim Private Hospital has been serving the community since 1980 and is part of UnitingCare Health - one of the largest not-for-profit private hospital groups in Queensland which operates more than 1000 licensed beds across four hospitals.

PICTURED: Dr Greg Finch with the O-ARM^TM