Good Samaritan Hospital and Mayfield Brain & Spine bring leading-edge robotic imaging and navigation to spine surgery patients in Cincinnati

Spine surgery patients at Good Samaritan Hospital are benefiting from innovative robotic systems to guide the procedure and allow surgeons to react to changes in real time, thanks to a partnership between the hospital and the neurosurgeons of Mayfield Brain & Spine.

The ExcelsiusGPS platform integrates advanced imaging with a robotic device that helps the surgeon navigate the anatomy during surgery. It can receive instant feedback that might allow a surgeon to adjust – for example, the placement of a pedicle screw – to a precision of 0.5 millimeters.

In late April, Mayfield neurosurgeons Dr. Zachary Tempel and Dr. Michael Kachmann were the first in Greater Cincinnati to use the newest robotic technology during a procedure to stabilize a spinal deformity patient.

“These enhancements make spine surgery safer and make the operating room more efficient,” Dr. Tempel said. “The newest Globus technology allows us to precisely target the area that needs surgical intervention and to refine as needed in real time. This collaboration with TriHealth and Good Samaritan Hospital is a perfect example of joining with our partner health systems to improve patient care.”

The investment in the ExcelsiusGPS robotic technology is only the latest innovation at TriHealth hospitals to improve spine surgery and overall spine care. In 2024, Good Samaritan Hospital earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS), the first hospital in Ohio to earn the elite designation.

“At TriHealth our mission to Get Health Care Right includes staying up to speed on the latest advancements in health care technology,” said Kelvin Hanger, President of Good Samaritan Hospital. “We are pleased to host Mayfield’s use of the ExcelsiusGPS platform at Good Samaritan Hospital and look forward to continuing our partnership with Mayfield to provide Cincinnati patients with the safest, most cutting-edge spine care available.”

The technology is manufactured by Globus Medical, which said ExcelsiusGPS is designed to streamline the surgical workflow and reduce radiation exposure to surgeons and staff. According to Globus, it is the world’s first technology to combine a rigid robotic arm and full navigation capabilities into one adaptable platform, and the newest generation of surgical navigation from Globus. In 2021, Drs. Tempel and Kachmann were the first surgeons in the U.S. to operate using the Pulse surgical platform, and the Excelsius platform incorporates the Pulse technology with the latest advances.

In 2024, Mayfield spine surgeon Dr. Ryan Godinsky, who practices out of Mayfield’s office in the Dayton area, was among the first to use the GlobusHub navigation system, which does not include the robotic arm.

The ExcelsiusGPS robot is manufactured by Globus NuVasive. In addition to advanced precision and safety, it improves ergonomics for the surgeons, provides an offset memory and cuts down on “spins” of the patient, reducing the duration of the surgery.

“This technology allows surgeons to eliminate variation and reduce unnecessary steps from the surgery, so we can focus on the anatomy and surgical technique that serves patients,” Mayfield’s Dr. Kachmann said. “We thank Good Samaritan Hospital for its investment in leading-edge navigation and imaging.”

About Mayfield Brain & Spine: Founded in 1937, Mayfield Brain & Spine is a nationally known independent neurosurgery practice, with 20 neurosurgeons, one orthopedic spine surgeon and six interventional pain or physical medicine & rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians. Our physicians see patients at six offices and perform surgeries at the region's leading health systems, treating brain tumors, spinal deformity, strokes and a variety of other disorders of the brain and spine. With about 290 total associates, Mayfield served more than 32,700 patients in 2024. Mayfield also was named one of the region's "Best Places to Work" in 2022 and 2024 in a competition sponsored by the Cincinnati Business Courier.

About TriHealth: TriHealth is hospitals, physicians and the community working together to help people live better. We provide clinical, educational, preventive and social programs through Bethesda North, Bethesda Butler, Good Samaritan and McCullough-Hyde hospitals, and more than 140 other locations throughout Greater Cincinnati. This includes an ambulatory network, physician practices, research division, employer-based health services, hospice care and fitness and health facilities. Learn more at trihealth.com, Facebook.com/TriHealth, @TriHealth on Twitter and at YouTube.com/TriHealth.