NEWS AND MORE's video: Mako the robot helps perform knee surgery operation in Rome hospital

'Mako' the robot helps perform knee surgery operation in Rome hospital A surgical robotic arm known as "Mako" has helped a medical team in Rome perform knee surgery on Friday (February 5). Robotic surgery and robotically-assisted surgery have become widespread in the medical industry in recent years and among the latest designs is Mako, a robotic arm which enables a more predictable surgical experience. Surgeon and professor at Modena University, Mario Catani, says use of the Mako robotic system shortens surgery time and has been shown to reduce pain and speed up recovery in patients. Catani performed the lateral knee prosthesis surgery on a 74-year-old with the aid of the robotic arm at UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital. The hospital is the third and latest in the whole region of Lazio to be equipped with the technology. Mako projects the type of prosthesis needed during an operation using data from a 3D CT scan of the body part under operation and an infrared camera system. With the help of Mako, surgeons can perform advanced simulations of an operation and position the prosthesis with precision, saving bone tissue and achieving ligament balance. Mako is one of the most advanced technology systems to allow for a minimally invasive partial or total joint replacement procedure. (Production: Yara Nardi, Fabiano Franchitti)