Epworth Geelong has further advanced its robotic surgery program, with the introduction of two new robots to the hospital.
The latest additions mean the hospital continues to offer an array of robotic surgery in the region.
The VELYS robot was introduced last week and will be used to assist during knee replacement surgery. Its advanced technology helps surgeons to work with precision and personalise the operation to a patient’s anatomy, working intraoperatively without the need for CT scans.
While a second robotic machine is described as a ‘navigation system’ for spinal fusion procedures, enabling surgeons to view the spine in high definition during surgery.
Robotic surgery allows Epworth specialists to perform many complex procedures with precision, flexibility and control through tiny incisions, in many cases.
Epworth Geelong’s Executive General Manager Scott Norman said robotic-assisted surgery had led to great outcomes for Epworth patients, allowing for more choice.
“We are excited to introduce the new robots to our suite of robot-assisted operations at Epworth Geelong. This intelligent technology assists during minimally invasive surgery, enabling small incisions and in most cases, a quick return to day-to-day activities,” Mr Norman said.
Since robot-assisted surgery was introduced at Epworth Geelong in 2018, Epworth medical teams have been supported in thousands of operations by a variety of robots, including for knee replacement, neurosurgery, bariatric, orthopaedic, general, urology and gynaecological surgery procedures.
Epworth was the first private hospital group in the Asia Pacific region to introduce robotic-assisted surgery in 2003, at Epworth Richmond. The first surgical robot at Epworth Geelong was installed in 2018.
In 2019, bariatric surgeon, Dr George Kalogeropoulos became the first at Epworth Geelong to introduce robotic surgery for weight loss patients. Two years later, Epworth Geelong became the first hospital in regional Victoria to purchase a Mako Smart Robot for orthopaedic surgery.
In addition, general surgeon Dr David Wardill, who has completed more than 500 robotic surgeries, has been internationally recognised for his pioneering work in robotic surgery for the management for large complex hernias.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Andrew Byrne was the first at Epworth Geelong to use a robot to perform total knee replacement surgery in 2018. In 2024, he reached a milestone of 550 total knee replacements.
Orthopaedic surgeon Dr Andrew Wilkinson was one of the first Epworth Geelong surgeons to operate using the new VELYS robot late last month. Dr Wilkinson is an internationally renowned proctor for surgically assisted total knee replacement using the VELYS system.
Seventy-three-year-old Grovedale resident Cecile O’Gorman was among the first patients to undergo knee replacement surgery with Dr Wilkinson with the VELYS robot.
Having surgery on her left knee to treat osteoarthritis, Cecile was intrigued about how the new technology would help her.
“It’s fascinating. I think it’s great how science is helping,” Cecile said ahead of her surgery.
Post-surgery, Cecile is looking forward to getting back in the pool, where she used to swim three times a week, as well as walking without an aid, and general exercise.
Before surgery, she was terrified of falling and inflicting further pain on her knee. A cheesemaker, Cecile has missed being able to spend time cooking in the kitchen.
“I just want to go back to being able to do the things I loved to do,” she said.
The new robots are part of a planned $20 million investment at Epworth Geelong to significantly increase hospital beds and operating theatres, including ramping up orthopaedics, cardiology and cancer treatment and further develop the region’s only neurosurgical service.
