Knee replacements: WA patients in South West hospital first in state to benefit from surgical robotics

South West patients will be the first in WA to be treated using state-of-the-art robotics technology for surgery.

St John of God Bunbury Hospital is the first in WA to introduce the new robotic surgery technology using a specialised device that combines infrared cameras and optical trackers to perform knee replacement surgery with increased precision.

The VELYS Robotic-Assisted Solution will help the hospital’s six orthopaedic surgeons perform the facility’s 450 knee-replacement surgeries each year by providing improved digital precision and accuracy.

Hospital chief executive officer Jeffrey Williams said the new system offered patients access to the latest technology close to home, and helped them get back to doing the things they loved.

“We are thrilled to be the first hospital in the State to offer this surgery option to our South West community,” Mr Williams said.

“Robotic-assisted surgery is a growing trend, particularly for common orthopaedic procedures such as total knee replacements, and this new technology increases access to this leading, high-quality care for our patients.”

The table-mounted apparatus uses infrared cameras and optical trackers to help surgeons gather a patient’s precise anatomical data in real time to accurately resect bones and position the implant to the soft-tissue during total knee replacement

The robotic system is also being installed at several other St John of God Health Care hospitals, including at Murdoch in Perth and, in Geelong and Ballarat in Victoria.

The hospital’s chief operating officer Ben Edwards said the decision to invest in this robotic technology was a part of the organisation’s focus on ensuring patients had access to leading care close to home.

“Robotic-assisted surgery, particularly in orthopaedics, is a growing field, and both patients and surgeons want to have the opportunity to choose the type of surgery that will best suit their needs,” he said.

“We are pleased to offer a range of technology-enhanced surgical options in our hospitals to support surgeons and patients, and ensure people can get access to care close to their home.”