Cairns Private Hospital boosts robotic surgery capacity

Far North Queensland patients have greater access to advanced knee replacement surgery thanks to Cairns Private Hospital's latest robotic investment.

The Ramsay Health Care facility now has two ROSA orthopaedic devices, which help surgeons plan and perform procedures with greater precision.

They can be used in both partial and total knee replacement surgeries.

Cairns Private Hospital's orthopaedic team has performed more than 1,000 procedures with its first ROSA system since its introduction in late 2021.

"Having a second ROSA unit at Cairns Private allows for multiple knee replacements on the same day and allows more surgeons to access the technology for their patients," orthopaedic surgeon Dr Ben Parkinson said.

"I am grateful for Ramsay's investment and support in bringing this technology to our region."

Cairns Private Hospital staff celebrated 1,000 procedures using its first ROSA device

Dr Parkinson said the robotic assistant represented the next evolution in surgical tools, building on two decades of computer-navigated joint replacement techniques.

"Robotic surgical assistants are designed to improve surgical precision compared to traditional techniques, by providing more detailed feedback and flexibility during procedures," he said.

"The ROSA system provides the surgeon information during a procedure on how the prosthetic knee functions, allowing us to fine-tune and adjust the implant position in real time. It's a reliable and reproducible tool to help achieve surgical goals."

Cairns Private Hospital will add a Mako robot to its suite of technology later in 2025 – it also has a VELYS robotic assistant for orthopaedic procedures and a Da Vinci Xi device for selected urological, gynaecological and colorectal operations.

"We are proud to support our local surgeons with the latest in surgical technology and to give more patients the opportunity to benefit from robotic-assisted procedures," CEO Rochelle Biancotti said.

"The introduction of a second ROSA robot is part of our broader strategy to meet growing demand for joint replacement surgery and continue delivering safe, modern, high-quality care close to home."

Read more: ENT expansion meets Cairns' rising demand

Read more: Rise of the robots in Far North

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