The first spine case combining augmented reality and a surgical robot was recently performed by Kornelis Poelstra, MD, PhD, director of The Robotic Spine Institute of Silicon Valley in Los Gatos, Calif.
Four notes:
1. The posterior lumbar fusion was performed using Medtronic's Mazor X robot and Augmedics' Xvision augmented reality system.
2. The surgery was completed in under two hours, compared to up to seven hours for similar cases performed without this combination of technology, according to a May 10 news release.
3. Xvision allows surgeons to "see" into the anatomy using augmented reality in real time while looking directly at the patient instead of a screen, which can significantly reduce operative time, according to the company.
4. Dr. Poelstra has performed more than 1,000 complex robotic spine procedures.