April 30, 2017

Factory worker Aharon Schwartz, 42, broke his leg in two places and broke six spinal vertebrae in a work accident in Jerusalem. Now, after undergoing the world’s first-of-its-kind dual robotic surgery to fix his leg and back, doctors at Hadassah Hospital are saying he should be able to walk again soon.

The revolutionary dual robotic surgery assisted in the repair of a severe spinal fracture Schwartz suffered after being injured when a steel object pinned him to the ground while at work.

National President Ellen Hershkin of Hadassah, the Women’s Zionist Organization of America (HWZOA), said the procedure on April 23 at Hadassah Hospital Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, was the world’s first-of-its-kind dual robotic surgery ever performed.

“Two robots, Siemens’ Artis Zeego and the Mazor Robotics’ Renaissance® Guidance System, were involved in the surgery. Artis Zeego, overseen by Dr. Amal Khouri, Director of HMO’s Orthopedic Hospitalization Center, provided real-time 3-dimensional imaging during the surgical procedure, which eliminated the need for pre-surgery CT scans and post-surgery X-rays,” said Dr. Meir Liebergall, Chairman of the Hadassah Medical Organization’s (HMO) Orthopedic Department and head of HMO’s Musculo-Skeletal Medicine Division.

“Renaissance® Guidance System, a screw placement system which allows spinal implant placement with maximum safety and accuracy, was controlled by HMO Sr. Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Josh Schroeder. Renaissance communicated with Artis Zeego during the minimally-invasive surgery while Dr. Schroeder led the Hadassah orthopedic team in the insertion of eleven pedicle screws into the patient’s spine with clinical exactitude.”

Liebergall said Schwartz should completely recover from the surgery and be walking again very shortly.

“Once again, HMO achieves another world-first – a dual robot-assisted spinal surgery, solidifying its reputation for world class medical innovation and treatment. Our congratulations go to Dr. Liebergall and his brilliant surgical team for continuing Hadassah’s mission of bringing ground-breaking medical care to the people of Israel,” said Hershkin.

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