Getting Surgically Precise with the O-arm

Ask any surgeon and they will agree: precision is paramount. This is especially true for neurosurgery, which deals with the ultra-sensitive areas of the spinal cord, brain, and cerebrovascular system. When placing a surgical insert in the spine, for example, the difference between a successful procedure and the patient requiring follow-up surgery can be a matter of microscopic detail.

To increase precision, improve patient safety, and maximize the chance for a successful outcome, it’s critical for neurosurgeons to operate using the most advanced surgical technology available. That’s why Casa Colina Hospital and the Inland Neurosurgery Institute (INI) have adopted use of the O-arm™, a 2D/3D imaging system that equips surgeons with real-time imaging abilities during the actual procedure.

Why is this capability so important? Well, for all the planning that goes into a spinal surgery—and it is a lot—something unexpected can always arise mid-procedure, and we need to be prepared. Taking into account the unique anatomy of each patient, the O-arm offers a 3D display of the surgical site that provides surgeons with real-time feedback.

Used in tandem with a navigation system like the StealthStation, the O-arm’s high-quality images give surgeons the unique ability to visualize the internal anatomy of the patient in a way that 2D imaging, such as a fluoroscopic image, does not. This means more accurate incisions and placement of surgical screws, resulting in faster patient recovery and improved outcomes.

Just as importantly, the O-arm lets the surgical team assess the results of the procedure right when it is complete. If something is amiss, they can address it before the patient leaves the operating room. This lowers the risk of the patient requiring follow-up surgery due to otherwise unforeseen complications that arise days, weeks, or months later.

We know nobody wants to undergo surgery. The neurosurgeons at INI will explore non-invasive interventions whenever possible to treat injury and disease of the spine. But sometimes, surgery is the only way to ensure patients can return to the life they love with little or no pain. In that case, you should always seek out an experienced neurosurgeon who operates with the newest, most state-of-the-art surgical equipment, like the O-arm.

Casa Colina Hospital and Centers for Healthcare offers comprehensive therapeutic and neurosurgical services to assess and treat pain, weakness, or numbness in the back, neck, arms, and legs that is the result of spinal injury or disease. If you would like to learn more about our services, call 909/596-7733, ext. 3900.