For many patients, expensive treatment abroad should no longer be necessary in the future: Cyprus' public health system has introduced robot-assisted orthopaedic surgery for the first time, thus taking an important step towards modern high-performance medicine.

The state health organization SHSO has installed the CORI robotic surgery system from the company Smith+Nephew in the General Hospital of Nicosia for this purpose. The innovative system is already being used in the hospital's orthopaedic department and enables various interventions on knee and hip joints at the highest technical level.

These include partial and full knee prostheses, revision surgery of existing knee implants, and hip replacement surgery – all within the public health system.

According to the SHSO, this gives patients access to highly specialized and precise medical care directly in Cyprus, without having to travel abroad for appropriate procedures.

Internationally, robot-assisted orthopedics is now considered an important component of modern surgery. The technology enables higher accuracy, individually tailored surgical plans and improved functional outcomes for patients.

A particular advantage of the CORI system is that the patient's anatomy is recorded in real time during the procedure. A prior CT or MRI examination can be dispensed with. Instead, a digital model of the affected joint is created directly in the operating room, which shortens the preparation time and reduces radiation exposure.

In addition, the system allows a dynamic analysis of ligament stability and balance in the joint as well as virtual planning of the implant position even before the actual bone processing.

The SHSO describes this development as a fundamental change in orthopaedic surgery – away from standardised procedures towards individually adapted operations. Modern sensor technology, motion analyses and digital real-time planning should enable even more precise treatment.

During the operation, the attending surgeon can immediately assess the joint function and adapt bone resections and the positioning of the implants exactly to the anatomical conditions of the respective patient.

At the same time, the health organization emphasizes that the responsibility remains entirely with the surgeon. The orthopedic surgeon creates the individual surgical plan and controls the entire procedure, while the robotics act as a high-precision assistance system, ensuring additional safety and accuracy.

According to the SHSO, there are numerous advantages for patients. These include more precise placement of implants, better alignment and stability of the joints, a lower risk of later corrective or revision surgery, faster recovery and improved functionality after the procedure.

With the introduction of this technology, another form of modern cutting-edge medicine is thus finding its way into the public health system of Cyprus – and opening up new treatment options for many patients directly on the island.


Author: MF-Redaktion
Sources: en.philenews / gesy