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Grandmother Kerry Stubbings has become Australia’s first patient to undergo robotic shoulder surgery in a groundbreaking operation at Mater Private Hospital Townsville this week.
The operation was the first time the Stryker Mako Ortho Robot was used to perform a shoulder replacement outside the United States, with Mater Townsville only the sixth hospital in the world to perform the robotic procedure.
“I had a fall eight months ago and severely injured my right shoulder, and the pain and loss of function meant that I needed a shoulder replacement,” said Ms Stubbings, 66.
Ms Stubbings underwent surgery on Tuesday and was discharged on Wednesday.
“I feel very comfortable, more comfortable than I thought I was going to be,” said Ms Stubbings.
“I’m not in any pain, even though I’ve got a few things on board to help, it’s been marvellous.”
Townsville orthopaedic surgeon Dr Levi Morse performed the groundbreaking surgery and declared it a success.
“Everything went very well and according to plan,” said Dr Morse.
“The robot function worked remarkably well, and I think it’s going to be a very good outcome.
"The process and technology enables doctors to perform surgeries in a reliable, accurate and predictable way.
"It's very exciting – it’s an Australian first and a significant achievement for Mater and healthcare in Townsville.”
The Mako shoulder application uses advanced biomechanical modelling to deliver precise, patient-specific surgery in a less invasive way.
Studies of robotic surgeries in knee and hip replacements have shown improved recovery times for patients, a reduced need for pain medication post-surgery, and a reduction in soft tissue injuries.
“This operation changes people’s lives, significantly improving quality of life and function," said Dr Morse.
Mater Private Hospital Townsville General Manager Stephanie Barwick said the use of the Mako Ortho Robot for shoulder surgery places Mater at the forefront of orthopaedic innovation in Australia.
“This furthers our commitment to world-class patient care and will mean people in North Queensland will get access to this advanced technology in Townsville and won’t need to travel out of town,” said Ms Barwick.
The Stryker Mako Ortho Robot was purchased for $2 million in 2021 thanks to generous community donations and funding from Mater Foundation. The robot was upgraded recently to include new technology for the shoulder application.
Mater Foundation CEO Andrew Thomas thanked donors for their generosity and for helping bring robotic surgery technology to North Queensland.
“This is a great example of community fundraising benefitting people, it is a significant investment for regional healthcare with wide ranging benefits,” said Mr Thomas.
The first robotic assisted surgery in Australia was performed in 2003 and since then there have been significant advancements in robotic technology and in surgical techniques.
There has been a steady increase in total shoulder replacements in Australia over the last 20 years, with more than 8,000 currently performed each year. This number is forecast to grow three-fold by 2035.[1]
The latest robotic surgery first at Mater Private Hospital Townsville comes just weeks after Ivy Napiorkowski became Australia’s youngest-ever robotic surgery patients.
The three-year-old from Weipa, on the Cape York Peninsula, underwent robotic-assisted surgery at Mater Private Hospital Townsville to correct a painful kidney problem.
The hospital is Australia’s leading centre for paediatric robotic surgery, with doctors using the $3.3m da Vinci system to perform minimally-invasive surgeries.
