Neurosurgeons at Naval Medical Center San Diego completed the facility's first spine surgery with a 3D surgical microscope, according to Dvids.
The Dec. 6 procedure was a herniated disc repair led by U.S. Navy Cmdr. Shawn Belverud, DO.
Surgeons can position the microscope exoscopically, which avoids extraneous strain on their neck and lower back, Michael Hinz, a representative from the device's manufacturer, told Dvids.
The microscope features an attachment that allows surgeons to explore the anatomy endoscopically.
Naval Medical Center San Diego acquired two of the microscopes and plans to use them in more spine surgeries, Dr. Belverud told the news outlet.