Vadnais Heights Surgery Center Adds Advanced Surgical Imaging Technology

“Surgical imaging provides our view of the surgical field as we maneuver and place instruments during spine procedures,” explains Summit Orthopedics spine surgeon Dr. Nicholas Wills. “Accurate placement is critical to the quality of surgical outcomes. At Summit, we are always following emerging options to identify advances that will help us to make excellent outcomes even better. The Medtronic O-arm® Surgical Imaging System is state-of-the-art technology for optimal precision during spine surgery and other orthopedic procedures. Having this system improves the quality of surgical care by providing the best visual guidance available to our surgeons.”

Medtronic’s imaging system is designed with a doughnut-shaped arm that is able to provide multidimensional images of the patient’s anatomy in real time during surgery and track instrumentation with a navigational component similar to a car’s GPS. This combination of features provides the surgeon with a large field of view in two and three dimensions, distortion-free images, and the ability to precisely position surgical instruments to avoid vulnerable areas of the spine.

“During a spine surgery,” explains Summit Orthopedics spine surgeon Dr. Edward R. Santos, “I can see a three-dimensional image of the patient’s spine projected on a screen, as well as two-dimensional cross sections if I need a different view as I perform a procedure. Even when I am doing minimally invasive surgery and working through very small incisions with limited visibility, this technology allows me to see exactly where I am as I place pedicle screws, work with implants, or perform other delicate, complex procedures.”

This new imaging system provides patients with a number of surgical advantages:

• The advanced three-dimensional imaging enables surgeons to use minimally invasive surgical techniques that cause less tissue trauma to the patient.
• Precise imaging increases surgical accuracy during procedures.
• O-arm imaging uses a navigation system that decreases radiation exposure for surgeons, staff, and patients, compared to standard 2-D fluoroscopy.
• Because this imaging supports less invasive techniques and can be used in a surgery center, patients benefit from a lower risk of infection.
• Patient recovery is faster with less pain and fewer complications during and following surgery.

Although the new imaging system is typically used to guide spine surgeries, it can also be used to guide other types of orthopedic surgery. “Surgical technologies and techniques are constantly evolving and being optimized,” observes Summit Orthopedics surgeon Dr. David Strothman. “A part of our job is to evaluate new surgical tools as they emerge, and incorporate advances like Medtronic’s O-arm Surgical Imaging System into our practice when it has been proved to safely improve outcomes for our patients.”

Summit Orthopedics supports healthy communities

Community health flourishes when specialized orthopedic care is conveniently available close to home. Summit Orthopedics is proud of our fellowship-trained subspecialty teams offering the full spectrum of orthopedic expertise in bone, tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint conditions—in addition to our wellness, prevention, and rehabilitation services. We have the expertise to proactively improve fitness, evaluate discomfort, and deliver personalized treatment to quickly and safely return you to the lifestyle you love.

Start your journey to a healthier, more active self. Visit our Facebook page to learn about our wellness services and schedule a free wellness consultation online.  Find your orthopedic expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

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