In a symposium conducted in city, renowned joint replacement surgeons from across the country endorsed the highly advanced and effective Patient Specific Jig technology which is now made available in India for benefit of patients suffering from knee joint disorders. The technology was made available to 10 select knee replacement surgeons in North India for an early user feedback. 10 surgeons from northern India attended the symposium to learn about the early user feedback and patient outcomes of this new technology. Surgeons who were involved in designing and developing of this new technology were present on the occasion. Amongst them were Dr. (Prof) Raju Vaishya, Sr. Consultant, Apollo Hospital (Delhi), Dr. Sanjai Srivastava, Sr. Consultant Mayo Hospital, Lucknow, Dr. Vikas Kulshreshtha, Group Captain, R&R Hospital (New Delhi). This is the first customized jig that has been developed and manufactured in India. Dr. (Prof) Raju Vaishya recently conducted a study on usage of customized jig technology on Indian patients at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi and shared the study outcomes at the forum. As part of the program, over 125 surgeries have been successfully performed. Excellent patient outcomes have been observed with less operating time reduced blood loss, faster recovery and shorter hospital stay. No post op complications have been reported during the feedback program. In the day-long symposium organized on the eve of the National Joint and Bone Day, senior joint replacement surgeons from different corners of county congregated to comprehend the benefits of the new technology and its pressing need in the background of enhancing patient outcomes and surgical success. Speaking with media at a round table discussion, Dr. Sanjai Srivastava explained that Correct Alignment of the artificial knee implant is the key to successful surgery. Closer the implant alignment is to the natural knee, better will be the surgical outcome. Traditionally, achieving this alignment was based on experience, judgment and skill of the surgeon. While experienced surgeons may near-accurate alignment most of the times, but there is a significant dependence on human competence. With the advent of customized jig technology, the accurate alignment for individual patient can be calculated much before the surgery based on his CT scan. The patient’s CT scan and advanced computer analysis help arriving at the most accurate alignment for that particular patient, basis which a precise jig is manufactured. This jig, which is customized for each patient, is used to give the most appropriate bone cuts and positioning of the implant during the surgery. “Apart from the efficient surgical procedure, customized jig also improves knee functions post-surgery and reduces the chances of revision surgery. Since the product is manufactured in India, patient doesn’t have to wait for long” explained Dr. (Prof) Raju Vaishya. “Almost 30% of key surgical steps are eliminated with the help of this new technology which is also less invasive. As a result, the operative is also reduced by one third,” said Dr. Srivastava. Talking about their recent publications in prestigious journals(International Orthopaedics and Journal of Arthroplasty) on their experience on customised jig technology on Indian patients, Dr.(Prof) Raju Vaishya said that we are convinced that customized cutting blocks may offer certain otheradvantages like decreased operative time, lesser bleeding, and faster recovery. The major disadvantages of this technology until now used to be an increased cost and delay in their procurement for the surgery. However, this has now been overcome by the local manufacturing of these blocks by an MNC and this lag time has been reducedto five to seven working days only and the cost for a single kneeblock has also come down by 1/3rd. We alsobelieve that the additional cost of customized jigs can beoffset by decreased operative time, less need for bloodtransfusion and early discharge from the hospital.
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