San Ramon Regional Medical Center Performs First Endoscopic Robotic-Assisted Lumbar Fusion in California

San Ramon, Calif. – San Ramon Regional Medical Center is proud to be a leader in acquiring and utilizing the latest technology in surgery, providing a higher level of care for patients close to home.

In August 2021, Saqib Hasan, M.D., Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, performed the first endoscopic robotic-assisted lumbar fusion in California at San Ramon Regional Medical Center. This advanced procedure combines endoscopic and robotic-guided technologies. It allows the surgeon to operate through smaller incisions versus larger surgical dissection which is common for some complex spine surgeries such as lumbar fusions. The first patient is now six months post-operation and is doing very well.

“Endoscopic techniques really represent a paradigm shift in spine surgery. By leveraging these technologies, surgeons can treat spinal problems in a truly minimally invasive way. By using advanced miniature cameras (endoscopes) and computer-based robotic arms to provide a more targeted and accurate approach, we can achieve similar results to more traditional open procedures with less pain and quicker recovery,” said Dr. Hasan, who specializes in endoscopic spine surgery at San Ramon Regional Medical Center and is faculty for the ESPINEA® Endoscopic Spine Academy, a global consortium of leaders in endoscopic spine surgery.

Minimally-invasive, endoscopic and robotic-assisted spine surgery allows surgeons to treat spine conditions by operating through small incisions along the spine, which may lead to smaller scars. Other patient benefits may include shorter hospital stays, less tissue damage, reduced trauma to the body and less risk of infection and post-operative pain.

“We are proud of our spine surgery program and we are committed to providing the highest quality of care for our patients,” said Ann Lucena, CEO of San Ramon Regional Medical Center. “Robotic technology not only helps improve accuracy, reproducibility and efficiency in complex spine surgery, but it also significantly reduces radiation exposure to the patient, staff and surgeon as an added safety enhancement.”

In early 2020, San Ramon Regional Medical Center became the first hospital in the Bay Area to purchase the ExcelsiusGPS® system to offer robotic-assisted spine surgery, which was utilized for the first endoscopic robotic-assisted lumbar fusion. The hospital is proud to have seven highly-trained spine surgeons credentialed on its medical staff.

San Ramon Regional Medical Center remains a leader in the number of endoscopic spine procedures performed yearly in the state of California, and strives to provide the most advanced, cutting edge spine surgery for its patients.