Dr. Balalla was assisted in the pioneering surgery by Dr. Robert Śmigielski, from the Mirai Institute, Warsaw (Poland). Bridging the distances between experts from the other side of the globe, this proctorship was organized by the M.O.R.E. Institute. Indeed, as part of all the educational activities organized by the M.O.R.E. Institute, surgeons can benefit from proctorship and be assisted by expert practitioners for their first surgery cases.
Dr. Śmigielski is at the forefront of research in the field of ACL surgery and through his ground-breaking anatomical studies of the knee joint found that the Anterior Cruciate Ligament is a flat ribbon-like structure, and that replicating this structure in surgery can produce a more anatomical reconstruction of the ligament. Leading on from the work of Dr. Śmigielski and other global KOLs involved in the evolution and development of this technique, Medacta has developed the M-ARS technique, that includes a suite of innovative instrumentation and novel implants to facilitate the surgical steps required to recreate the flat ribbon-like structure of the ACL.
Dr. Balalla undertook specific training organized by Medacta’s M.O.R.E. Institute prior to the surgery to become proficient in the M-ARS technique and instruments. The M-ARS technique has the potential to provide patients with a more anatomic ACL reconstruction, potentially leading to improved function post-surgery. “Whenever we have become closer to replicating native anatomy with our reconstructive surgery, our outcomes have improved, and M-ARS is a more accurate anatomic reconstruction of the ACL,” said Dr. Balalla following the surgery.
The M-ARS ACL Set has been designed to perform the reconstruction of a torn ACL using the Anatomic Ribbon Technique. It is an innovative single bundle with natural stress distribution that could potentially improve bone to tendon healing, and includes dedicated implants, instruments and surgical technique. The Medacta M-ARS system allows the reconstruction of the ACL insertion site mimicking the native ACL footprint by twisting the ribbon shaped transplant before the graft is pulled into the femoral tunnel. The graft is fixed by means of the Medacta Tibial Pull Suture Plate and Medacta Extracortical Femoral Button implants.
This is an exciting milestone for the Medacta Sportsmed business unit in Australia, following the recent first-time surgeries with Medacta’s sports medicine products and instruments.
Explore more on sportsmed.medacta.com.
