FirstHealth of the Carolinas has integrated Zimmer Biomet’s OrthoGrid Hip AI® Technology at Moore Regional Hospital to enhance precision in orthopedic hip replacements.
This adoption marks the latest expansion of the health system’s surgical robotics program, which has seen increased patient demand for minimally invasive procedures throughout 2024, bizfayetteville.com reported.
AI Integration for Anterior Hip Surgery
The OrthoGrid system assists surgeons by creating 3D reconstructed models of a patient’s anatomy in real time. By capturing a 360-degree X-ray of the pelvis, the technology adjusts for the specific angle of the femoral hip joint.
Wayne McFatter, Executive Director of Surgical Services at FirstHealth, noted that this tool removes guesswork during the anterior approach, a method that involves retracting rather than cutting muscles to reach the hip joint.
“We are doing a lot more of these because patients are wanting it,” McFatter said. He explained that as patients research the benefits of the anterior approach, the hospital has seen a rapid increase in the procedure’s market share. Before the current focus on AI and surgical education, the anterior approach was rarely performed within the FirstHealth system.
AI-Assisted Technology Reduces Surgical Time and Recovery
The implementation of AI-assisted technology has led to measurable reductions in time spent in the operating room. Surgeons using the new system can now complete hip procedures in just over an hour, compared to the two hours typically required for traditional methods. According to McFatter, this reduction in anesthesia time contributes to faster post-surgery recovery and a decreased need for opioids.
The health system has also deployed three robotic systems for total knee replacements: the Smith+Nephew CORI Surgical System, the Zimmer ROSA Knee System, and the DePuy Johnson & Johnson VELYS Robotic-assisted solution.
Safety Protocols for New Technology
FirstHealth utilizes an IT Governance Committee to oversee the adoption of all new surgical technologies. This vetting process requires project managers and product experts to participate in extensive reviews that last between six months and a year. The committee prioritizes the protection of patient health information and ensures that any new system meets strict safety standards before it reaches the operating room.
Future Surgical Innovations
The health system is currently evaluating further applications for emerging technology, including the use of 3D printing to create patient-specific spinal plates. Surgeons are exploring the use of AI to reconstruct CT scans directly in the operating room to reduce patient radiation exposure during procedures.
Frequently Asked Questions
The system uses a 360-degree X-ray of the patient’s pelvis to build a 3D model. This model accounts for the patient’s unique anatomy, allowing the surgeon to precisely align the femoral hip joint to its baseline position.
The anterior approach allows surgeons to access the hip joint by retracting muscles instead of cutting them. This typically results in a smaller incision and a faster recovery time for the patient.
The committee acts as a safety and data protection gatekeeper for the hospital. They conduct a rigorous review process—lasting up to one year—to vet any new surgical technology before it is approved for clinical use.
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