Surgical Team Uses Groundbreaking Surgery To Assist Woman

Calgary (eCanadaNow) - Following a ground breaking surgery that removed a brain tumor, a Calgary woman was released Monday from the hospital.

Paige Nickason, 21 years of age, was released from the Foothills Medical Centre. Her doctors and surgeons used a robot on Friday to remove a brain tumor that threatened her survival.

NeuroArm is considered the world's first MRI-compatible robot capable of performing both surgery and biopsies which is less invasive for patients.

“The surgery performed on Paige demonstrates a level of technical achievement in robotic image guided surgery,” said Dr. Garnette Sutherland.  

Dr. Sutherland was one of the surgeons that used the robotic arm on Ms. Nickason to remove the tumor from her brain.

"This is a turning point in the performance and teaching of neurosurgery," Sutherland said in a statement.

 "NeuroArm will improve surgical outcomes as it is less invasive and more delicate in its touch."

In a press release that was given on Friday, Ms. Nickason was upbeat and supportive of the innovative robot technique. “I have to have the tumor removed anyway, so I am glad to be able to participate in this new history making surgery,” said Ms. Nickason.

The robot does the actual surgery, the hands of the robot  mimic the precise movements of the surgeon. The surgeon guides the robot by minute commands, while viewing the surgery on a variety of electronic screens.

The research team hopes NeuroArm will revolutionize the way sugery is performed.

"NeuroArm allows us to harness the capabilities and advantages of both human and machine," Alex Greer, the robotics engineer, said in a statement.

"By providing updated imaging and navigation, the surgeon has the tools to better plan and execute complex neurosurgical procedures."