Pioneering Advances in Robotic Spine and Joint Surgery at Himchan Hospital

■ Table of Contents
① Various Treatment Methods for Spine and Joint Disorders
② Himchan Hospital
③ Nanoori Hospital Gangnam
④ Wooridul Spine Hospital Daegu

Himchan Hospital is a pioneer in robotic joint replacement surgery. It was the first in Korea to introduce the world’s most widely used robotic systems—MAKO in 2020 and ROSA in 2022. As of the end of last year, Himchan Hospital had performed the highest number of MAKO robotic surgeries in the world, with 11,514 cases, and the most ROSA robotic surgeries in Korea, with 1,500 cases.

The MAKO robot allows for preoperative planning based on 3D CT imaging, enabling precise determination of the appropriate implant size, insertion position, and cutting range tailored to each patient. During surgery, if the procedure goes beyond the pre-set cutting boundaries, the system automatically halts the instrument to minimize damage to healthy tissue.

The ROSA robot also utilizes 3D simulation to analyze the patient’s joint structure in advance and plan the cutting range accordingly. It features sensor-based technology that enables real-time analysis of knee movement, allowing surgeons to flexibly adjust the implant’s position and angle even during the procedure.

Dr. Suchan Lee, Chief Director of Himchan Hospital, stated, “To respond effectively to surgical variables, extensive experience and a high level of expertise are essential.” He added, “At Himchan Hospital, we regularly hold conferences to strengthen surgeons’ skills by sharing clinical experiences and providing mutual feedback.”

For surgeons who are new to robotic procedures, Himchan Hospital provides step-by-step training—from surgical sequencing to detailed operative processes. Nurses also enhance their expertise through specialized orthopedic surgery training programs. To ensure seamless teamwork in the operating room, the hospital shares manuals that outline each surgeon’s preferred surgical style and instruments.

Himchan Hospital has published a total of nine research papers on the MAKO robotic system, six of which have been featured in SCIE-indexed journals—demonstrating the hospital’s strong contributions to academic research in the field.

Recently, Himchan Hospital developed its own surgical instrument designed to facilitate easier bone cutting during robotic joint replacement surgery and has secured both domestic and international patents for the innovation. The development was based on internal research, which identified that middle-aged male patients with denser bone often required additional bone cutting during surgery. To address this issue, the hospital created a specialized tool to enhance surgical precision. The effectiveness of this innovation was validated in a research paper titled “A Surgical Technique to Complement Robotic Total Knee Arthroplasty in Middle-Aged Patients with Dense Bone”, which was published in an SCIE-indexed journal and received significant attention from the academic community.

Dr. Changhyeon Nam of Himchan Hospital, who participated in the development of the surgical instrument, stated, “By combining the conventional tool with our patented instrument in a hybrid surgical approach, we are now able to cut bone with greater precision.” He added, “This technique is expected to further reduce the risk of side effects and complications by minimizing damage to healthy tissue.”