MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY
66
Treasure Coast Medical Report
sor and head of Lawnwood Neurosurgery in Fort Pierce. “In
the past, one of five patients would have to go back for revision
surgery. We have an unmatched safety profile with 99 percent
accuracy to protect the spinal cord and nerves.”
The small incision — a huge benefit — greatly decreases radiation
exposure, blood loss, the risk of infection and other complications
such as pneumonia, said Szentirmai. “Percutaneous surgery
is about preplanning down to the size of the instruments,
screws and rods. It is all about navigation, like a GPS system.
It’s not a robot operating on patients. This guides us through the
surgeries with complete accuracy. With proper diagnosis, this
is a modern approach to spine surgery with the least risk to the
patient,” he said.
The federal Food and Drug Administration has approved
Renaissance for treating brain problems including tumors,
aneurysms and traumatic injuries. The system could also be put
to work on emergency patients rushed to Lawnwood’s Level 2
trauma center just as soon as scans show what needs to be done.
When insurance wouldn’t cover back surgery for Martin
Beringer, Dr. Szentirmai went to bat for him, persuading the
company to pay for the operation. “The alternative is splaying
someone open like a turkey,” said Beringer, a 36-year-old Fort
Pierce manufacturing management consultant who had been
living with back pain for the past 12 years. “The only solution
was a lumbar fusion L5 to S1. I couldn’t stand up straight in
April. He (Dr. Szentirmai) planned it virtually before he made
a single cut. I’m pain free and off medication. I’m getting
my strength back. From a pain and rehabilitation standpoint
this is huge. I hope to be (snow) skiing and playing tennis by
Christmas. I’m a very big fan of Dr. Oszkar and the approach.
It turned my life around.”
There are only 40 Razor Robotic systems in the United States, and this
is the first one in use on the Treasure Coast. Manufactured in Israel, the
Renaissance system boasts accuracy in surgeries up to 1.5 millimeters.
/www.hemoncfl.com