Ascension Seton and Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) are excited to announce a significant milestone in advanced spine care with the successful completion of Ascension Seton's first next-gen robotic navigated spinal fusion, a minimally invasive spine surgery designed to improve accuracy and optimize patient care using robotics and navigation. The procedure was performed by Akshay Yadhati, MD, FAAOS, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at Austin Regional Clinic, and took place at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin, utilizing the hospital's latest advancements in robotic navigation technology.

I am proud to bring more minimally invasive surgical options to patients in Central Texas through ARC's expanded Spine Program," said Dr. Yadhati. "I am committed to comprehensive and patient-first care. This innovative robotic navigated spinal fusion procedure offers my patients a personalized solution to address spine disorders with more precision and improved outcomes. We just changed spine surgery in Austin."

This procedure marks the first adult case in Austin using Ascension Seton's next-generation spine robotics technology-reflecting a significant investment in the most advanced technology available in the spine industry.

"Ascension Texas is committed to investing in advanced surgical technologies that expand access to high-quality, specialized care across Central Texas, " said John Thresher, Chief Strategy Officer for Ascension Texas. "By deploying next-generation robotic technology in our hospitals, we're ensuring our patients have access to world-class precision and innovation close to home, without leaving their community."

Through Ascension Seton's Comprehensive Spine Program, this advanced technology gives surgeons a clearer, more detailed view of the patient's anatomy, enabling for precise surgical planning and execution. With enhanced navigation, it minimizes the need for repeated imaging, helping create a safer environment for everyone in the room. For patients, precision may translate to a smoother recovery, a shorter hospital stay and a faster return to everyday life.

This advancement builds on Ascension Texas' broader leadership in robotic-assisted surgery, supported by a statewide network of more than 45 robotic systems across multiple specialties. These investments reflect Ascension's commitment to expanding access to advanced surgical care close to home. Recently, Ascension Providence in Waco became the only hospital in that region to offer robotic navigation for spine procedures, while Dell Children's Medical Center North Campus became the first pediatric hospital in the world to provide spine surgeries using an advanced active robotic-assisted platform.

ARC's recently expanded Spine Program, led by Dr. Yadhati, offers patients access to highly trained specialists treating conditions affecting the spine, such as sciatica, herniated and slipped discs, spinal stenosis, and degenerative scoliosis. Dr. Yadhati is experienced in performing a full range of surgical procedures, including innovative, minimally invasive surgical spine solutions, endoscopic spine surgery, spine care, neck surgery, and back surgery.

"ARC continues to support the community with increased access to specialty, surgical, and primary care, and new clinic locations," said Anas Daghestani, MD, President & CEO of ARC. "We are thrilled to have Dr. Yadhati on our orthopedics team as we expand our Spine and Orthopedic Programs and provide coordinated care for our patients."

This marks the second "first" minimally invasive surgical solution in Austin performed by Dr. Yadhati in a two-month period. Dr. Yadhati recently completed Austin's first endoscopic spine surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small high-definition camera and specialized tools to access and treat conditions such as herniated discs and spinal stenosis in the spine, back, and neck. This procedure was also completed at Ascension Seton Medical Center Austin.

About Austin Regional Clinic

Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) is a multispecialty medical group committed to providing comprehensive, coordinated healthcare services throughout Central Texas. Founded by three Austin physicians in 1980, ARC now provides health care to over 700,000 area residents in 36 locations in 15 Central Texas cities, including primary, specialty, and surgical care. ARC is unique to the Central Texas area because of its widespread locations, convenient services, and quality assurance programs. ARC patients enjoy access to such conveniences as same-day appointments, 24/7 scheduling for primary care and many specialties, telemedicine services, ARC MyChart patient portal, After Hours Clinics, and nursing services through the night. Most ARC clinics also offer on-site radiology and lab services, and some clinics offer specialty care for specific health issues such as multiple sclerosis (MS) and diabetes. For more information, visit https://www.austinregionalclinic.com

About Ascension Texas

Serving Texas for more than 120 years, Ascension operates 13 hospitals and 222 sites of care, employing 16,000 associates across Central Texas. Ascension operates Ascension Providence in Waco and Ascension Seton, which includes Dell Children's Medical Center, the region's only comprehensive children's hospital and pediatric Level I trauma center, and Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas, the region's only Level I trauma center for adults. Ascension Seton partners with Dell Medical School at The University of Texas at Austin and shares a common vision of transforming healthcare through a focus on quality and value.

Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. On average, Ascension provides $540 million annually in charity care and community benefit across Central Texas. Visit https://www.ascension.org.