Pittsburgh Review

Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has expanded its minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion capabilities to AHN Wexford Hospital. This marks a significant development in the hospital's efforts to offer advanced spinal surgical care to patients residing north of Pittsburgh.

The first outpatient minimally invasive lumbar spinal fusion at AHN Wexford was conducted in September by spine surgeon Dr. Ryan Sauber. This initiative is part of AHN's strategy to enhance innovative spinal surgery options, focusing on minimal disruption, reduced recovery time, and improved outcomes for patients experiencing severe back and nerve pain.

Robert Gibson, a 72-year-old former carpenter from Scott Township, underwent this procedure after suffering from chronic leg pain due to spinal stenosis. He chose the minimally invasive surgery with Dr. Sauber at Wexford Hospital.

Dr. Sauber employed Medtronic’s MAZORTM robotic guidance system during the surgery, which allowed Gibson to return home on the same day as his procedure. "This minimally invasive lumbar fusion procedure represents an important step forward for our spine surgery program," said Dr. Sauber. The robotic system enables precise placement of screws and rods with minimal muscle and tissue disruption, resulting in shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery.

AHN Wexford and Allegheny General Hospital are currently the only locations within the network equipped with the MAZORTM robotic guidance system. This technology supports precise spinal drilling and screw placement, potentially reducing post-operative pain and hospitalization duration.

Following his surgery, Gibson reported significant improvements in his quality of life, including reduced pain and better sleep patterns. "I was taking 15 pain pills just to get through the day," said Gibson. "Once I had the procedure and got off all the pain medications, I’m back to normal."

Earlier this year, AHN announced an expansion of its minimally invasive spinal surgery program at Wexford Hospital. The endoscopic spine surgery program launched in May uses Arthrex's latest generation of spinal-endoscope technology for high-definition video imaging during surgeries.

"As a regional leader in spine care, our program is focused on helping patients achieve faster relief and recovery from pain using top-tier, minimally invasive surgical techniques," stated Allan Klapper, MD, president of AHN Wexford Hospital.

AHN Wexford Hospital opened in September 2021 in Pine Township and received an 'A' grade from The Leapfrog Group's spring 2024 Hospital Safety Grades report along with an award from Press Ganey for top performance in patient experience earlier this year.

For further information about AHN’s orthopedic and spine care services, visit AHN.org.