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Updated: Oct 4, 2025
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Pedicle Screw Placement Using an Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display in a Porcine Model
Published on: May 24, 2024
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First in man in-situ augmented reality pedicle screw navigation
Mazda Farshad1, Philipp Fürnstahl2, José Miguel Spirig1
1Spine Division, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Forchstrasse 340, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland.
North American Spine Society Journal
|February 10, 2022
Summary
Direct holographic navigation using augmented reality (AR) is feasible in spinal surgery. This novel AR technology demonstrated accuracy comparable to standard methods in its first human application.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Technology
- Surgical Navigation
Background:
- Augmented reality (AR) enhances surgeons' cognitive skills by overlaying computer-generated data onto the surgical site.
- This study reports the first human case of direct holographic navigation within a randomized controlled trial.
Observation:
- A sterile fiducial marker on a pointing instrument digitized intraoperative lumbar spine anatomy.
- A validated registration method superimposed the surgical plan onto the intraoperative anatomy.
- A 3D AR hologram displayed the preoperative vertebra model and planned screw trajectory for surgeon validation.
Findings:
- Postoperative CT scans confirmed accurate pedicle screw placement entirely within bone.
- The accuracy was comparable to existing surgical navigation standards.
- The patient experienced an uneventful recovery, mobilized quickly, and was discharged on postoperative day four.
Implications:
- Direct AR navigation is a feasible in vivo technology for spinal surgery.
- Further evaluation in a randomized controlled study will determine the value of this novel navigation approach.
