Bengaluru Doctor completes 1000 minimally invasive knee replacements with small incision computer navigation technology

Bangalore: Setting a new standard in the realms of Total Knee Replacement surgery, Dr Chandrashekar P from Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore has completed more than 1000 knee replacements using small incision computer navigation technology, and is the first surgeon to use this novel technique to complete 1000 surgeries in Karnataka.

Advanced technology in Knee Replacement Surgery coupled with expert surgical skills has turned out to be a boon to patients suffering with chronic arthritis in the joints for many years. The misconception that they would not be able to move around freely and do regular chores, discourages many arthritis and joint injury patients to go for a knee replacement surgery, despite the pain and trauma they would be going through for years. The advantage of this technology is increased accuracy during surgery along with the benefit of comfort and flexibility to the patient.

"Minimal invasive computer navigated knee replacement surgery allows the surgeon to make more accurate cuts and to place the artificial knee with its critical angles much more accurately and virtually eliminates alignment errors. There is no much blood loss and there is less scar unlike our conventional replacement surgery. The entire surgical process can be followed on the screen," said Dr. Chandrashekar. P, Sr. Consultant & HOD – Orthopedics, Sakra World Hospital, Bangalore.

The navigational surgery is safer than conventional technique, especially in patients with high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus. This unique knee replacement surgery is more secure for patients who have undergone angioplasty or cardiac bypass surgeries and also in patients who had pacemaker surgery for heart.

HOW IT WORKS

In Navigation, the surgeon uses a computer to determine the spatial location of conventional instruments and to provide positional feedback regarding their use. The navigation system is typically made up of -

• Camera watching the sterile field


• Trackers attached to the patient and the instruments


• Display Screen feeding back to the surgeon

Navigation works like a satellite navigation system in your car or a GPS system used by a mountaineer. During a surgery, trackers attached to the patient send a signal. The camera catches this signal and the position is then identified on the patient specific anatomy map. The surgeon has a screen which gives out information they need about where they are and what they are doing.

Normally while placing an implant during a knee replacement surgery, a surgeon has to depend solely on his calculations and skills to ensure the right fitment. Navigation helps the surgeon navigate, allowing them to plan the steps much ahead, thus bringing in accuracy which ensures better alignment and positioning of the implant. This results in minimal complications and reduced blood loss. From patient's point of view, this technology promotes increased flexibility and longevity and promotes a better gait while walking and doing chores. Due to high accuracy, implant life will last for more number of years than conventional knee replacement surgeries.