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Surgeons at St Andrew's Toowoomba have performed the hospital's historic first MAKO robotic shoulder procedure.
St Andrew's is the first hospital in Queensland's Darling Downs region to offer MAKO robotic-assisted shoulder replacement surgery, using a new and specialised component only available in three other Australian facilities.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Craig Brownlie, who led the procedure, said it represented a significant advancement for patients in the region.
"The MAKO shoulder system is very new, with only a small number of hospitals currently offering this technology," he said.
"Being able to provide this level of precision and innovation locally is a major step forward for shoulder surgery in Toowoomba and the Darling Downs."
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Craig Brownlie with the Mako robotic system
The MAKO shoulder system is a recent advancement in robotic surgery that allows surgeons to plan and perform replacement procedures with exceptional precision.
Using a patient-specific 3D model, the technology enables highly-accurate implant positioning tailored to the anatomy of each individual person.
The benefits of robotic-assisted shoulder replacement include improved joint function, reduced post-operative pain, and more predictable outcomes for patients.
Until now, access to this type of advanced robotic shoulder surgery has largely been limited to major metropolitan centres, meaning patients in rural and regional areas have to be away from home for long periods.
Dr Brownlie said the milestone surgery reinforced St Andrew's Toowoomba's commitment to delivering leading-edge orthopaedic care.
The private not-for-profit hospital has also delivered a number of regional firsts for robotic treatment since 2014, and received an international award in 2024 recognising its commitment to technology and sustainability.
Read more: Hospital 'pushes boundaries of regional care'
Read more: Robot milestone for pioneering regional hospital
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