River Cities Business Journal: Health

Compiled from staff reports and media releases

BULLHEAD CITY - Knee replacement surgery used to mean an incision from the lower thigh to upper calf and a hospital stay of up to five days.

But now Dr. Blake Stamper of TriState Orthopedic Institute, is performing the procedure using a robotic computer-assisted system that cuts hospital time in half and requires an incision no bigger than four inches.

Using $500,000 equipment brought in by a company for each new case, Stamper performed the Tri-state's first robotic computer-assisted surgeries on Wednesday at Western Arizona Regional Medical Center (WARMC).

He anticipates using the equipment on as many as three patients a week, rotating between Valley View Medical Center and WARMC.

The PiGalileo Computer-Assisted Orthopedic Surgery system combines computer-assisted surgery and robotic instrument positioning technologies to help the surgeon with navigation, and mini-robotic technologies that help the surgeon in instrument positioning. Surgeries performed with the equipment provide real-time feedback to help improve precision, Stamper said, thereby potentially leading to better implant alignment.

The procedures can either be minimally invasive, done with a small incision with use of a navigation system, or robotic knee, for larger patients or those with deformities.

Stamper said there are currently three surgeons in Arizona that use the technology. Previously, patients who wanted the procedure had to travel to Phoenix.

“I'm absolutely thrilled to be able to offer this cutting-edge technology to my patients,” he said. “Computer-Assisted Surgery technology has been shown to improve the accuracy and precision of knee replacement surgeries so that my patients can expect more consistent, longer-lasting results.”

The technology allows the surgeon to work around existing rods from previous surgeries without requiring access to the canal of the bone. To position the replacement, a computer picks up movement from white balls that sense light. A robot positions itself on the bone while the surgeon follows a line that can adjust to a half millimeter when making a cut.

“It's the next evolution,” Stamper said. “What we used to hope we could get with 3 millimeters of alignment, now we can adjust cuts in half millimeter increments.”

Kingman doctor honored

KINGMAN - Dr. Mohammed A. Subhan recently received recognition as one of “America's Top Family Doctors” by the Consumers Research Council of America.

The Consumers Research Council is an independent research company based in Washington D.C. that evaluates professional services throughout America. Dr. Subhan was selected for the 2007 Consumer Guide published by the Council. The selection process is based on a point value system that awards points for education, years in practice, and affiliations with professional associations.

Dr. Subhan has been practicing medicine for 15 years, most of that time in Kingman. He loves the field of medicine and is honored by the award. “I love to help patients and I enjoy the clinical aspects of practice as well,” stated Dr. Subhan.