ROSA Robotic Surgical Assistant
surgery
ROSA Robotic Surgical Assistant is available at 2 hospitals across 1 city in the Voumed network.
2 hospitals operate this technology across 1 country through the Voumed network; 2 of them hold JCI accreditation.
ROSA is a robotic surgical assistant used in knee replacement and brain surgery to plan and carry out delicate operations with very high accuracy. It is used in two main areas: joint replacement, where it guides bone preparation and implant placement, and brain surgery, where it helps reach precise targets deep in the brain. In both settings the system turns the patient's own scans into a detailed three-dimensional map, and a steady robotic arm then follows the plan the surgeon has set. The surgeon remains fully in control; ROSA adds precision and stability rather than acting on its own.
Key takeaways
- ROSA is a surgeon-guided assistant that pairs planning software and a navigation camera with a robotic arm, and it never acts on its own.
- Orthopaedic work covers knee replacement for osteoarthritis, inflammatory joint conditions and part of the post-traumatic damage, while neurosurgery covers biopsy and electrode placement in epilepsy or movement disorders.
- Your own scans become a three-dimensional model, the plan is matched to your real anatomy at the start, and the arm then moves only inside the limits the surgeon has drawn.
- The operation runs under general anaesthesia, and steadier instrument movement with less tissue disruption can smooth the recovery, though its length still follows the type of surgery and your own health.
- The system assists rather than decides, ordinary surgical risks remain, and whether it fits you rests on your diagnosis, your anatomy and your general health.
On this page
At a glance
- Type
- surgeon-guided robotic assistant with image-based planning
- Used for
- knee replacement and stereotactic brain surgery
- Key benefit
- millimetre-level accuracy with steady, planned movement
- Anaesthesia
- general anaesthesia
- Where it is used
- leading accredited surgical centres abroad
What it is
ROSA combines planning software, a navigation camera and a robotic arm. Before the operation, the patient's imaging is used to build an exact model of the joint or the brain, so the surgeon can plan every step in advance: in the knee, the size and position of the implant and the bone cuts; in the brain, the safest route and exact point to reach a deep target. During surgery, the navigation system continuously tracks the patient's position, and the robotic arm holds and guides instruments precisely along the planned path. This is especially valuable in regions where a difference of a millimetre matters and a clear, stable line of approach is essential.
How it works
At the start of surgery the surgeon registers the plan to the patient's real anatomy, so the on-screen model and the body match exactly. In knee replacement, ROSA guides the cutting and tests how the joint moves and balances so the implant is positioned for a natural feel. In brain surgery, ROSA holds the instruments steady along the precise, pre-planned trajectory to a deep target, supporting procedures such as biopsy, electrode placement and other stereotactic techniques. The robotic arm only moves within the boundaries the surgeon defines, and the surgeon performs and confirms every step.
What it treats and who it helps
In orthopaedics, ROSA is used for knee replacement in degenerative joint disease such as osteoarthritis, inflammatory joint conditions and some post-traumatic damage. In neurosurgery, it supports stereotactic procedures including tumour biopsy, placement of electrodes for movement disorders or epilepsy, and other operations that require pinpoint access to deep structures. Whether ROSA is the right choice depends on the diagnosis, the anatomy and the patient's overall health, and a surgeon decides on the most suitable technique for each individual case.
Benefits and what to expect
By planning from the patient's own anatomy and guiding instruments precisely, ROSA can improve accuracy and consistency, which in joint replacement is linked to good alignment, balance and long-term function, and in brain surgery to reaching the target safely while sparing healthy tissue. Greater precision and steadier movement can mean less tissue disruption, which may support a smoother recovery. Recovery times depend on the type of operation and the individual, and the care team provides a tailored plan for healing, rehabilitation and follow-up.
Frequently asked questions
These answers are general guidance and may vary by provider. Confirm the details with the hospital you choose.
Does ROSA operate on me by itself?
No. ROSA is an assistant. The surgeon makes the plan, controls the procedure and carries out every step. The robotic arm only follows the surgeon's plan with precise, steady movement and cannot act independently.
What is ROSA used for?
Two fields account for nearly all of its work. Inside the skull it steers instruments accurately onto small, deeply placed targets, which is what a biopsy or the implanting of electrodes calls for. In the joint, it supports knee replacement by directing how the bone is shaped and where the implant ends up sitting.
Is ROSA-assisted surgery more accurate?
It is designed to plan and guide the operation to the millimetre using a model built from your own scans. This accuracy can support better results, although the outcome also depends on your condition and your recovery.
Is the procedure safe?
Yes. It is a well-established technology that works within the limits the surgeon sets, with the surgeon in control throughout. As with any operation, there are general surgical risks, which the team explains beforehand.
Will I recover faster?
Greater precision and gentler handling of tissue can support a smoother recovery, but the exact timing depends on the type of operation, your general health and your rehabilitation.
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