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Is Robotic Surgery Right For You?

What is Robotic Surgery? Robotic surgery is a term used for technological developments that use robotic systems to aid in surgical procedures. Robotically-assisted surgery has the potential to help overcome the limitations of minimally-invasive surgery, and to enhance the capabilities of surgeons performing some types of open surgery. To date, robotic surgery has had its biggest impact in Urological (Prostate) surgery, and general surgery. The applications in Spine surgery have been very limited to date, but we continue to monitor and research this technology. With robotically assisted surgery, the surgeon uses a remote manipulator to control the robotic arms that carry out the movements of the surgery. The advantage of this is to allow for very fine and controlled movements in a tight and inaccessible space, and for potentially improved visualization with the miniature camera systems that accompany the robotic arms, examples of such systems include the DaVinci Robot platform. Robotic surgery has been criticized for its expense, by one estimate costing $1,500 to $2000 more per patient. [1] However, this advanced technology allows surgeons to perform general exams as well as complex gynecological, cardiothoracic, and urological procedures with a minimally invasive approach. Potential benefits of robotic surgery In general,

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Brazil star Neymar out of the World Cup with Fractured Vertebrae

While Americans celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks and barbeques, Brazilians were on the edge of their seats during their team’s World Cup match against Colombia. Though Brazil won the match 2-1, the team was faced with the tough loss of their star striker Neymar de Silva Santos Junior, more commonly known simply as Neymar, who was carried off the field on stretcher during the second half of the game. Nearly 88 minutes into the game, Neymar was brought to the ground by a knee to the back from Colombian defender, Juan Zuniga. There are conflicting reports out of Brazil as to whether the hit was intentional, but one thing was for certain: Neymar was out of the match. As Neymar writhed in pain, he reportedly told teammate Marcello, “I can’t feel my legs.”   After undergoing x-rays at a local hospital, doctors determined that a vertebra in his lower back had been fractured but luckily there was no neurological damage that would cause a long-term injury.  Fortunately, this mechanism of injury is not severe enough to cause a severe spinal fracture, and Neymar’s prognosis for a full recovery is excellent. However, the injury will keep him sidelined for

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