Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
Pedicle Screw Placement Using an Augmented Reality Head-Mounted Display in a Porcine Model
Published on: May 24, 2024
Augmented Reality in Spinal Neurosurgery: A Bibliometric Analysis of Trends and Clinical Applications
Jad El Choueiri1, Francesca Pellicanò1, Leonardo Di Cosmo1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Humanitas University, Milan, Italy.
Objective:
Augmented reality (AR) is an emerging technology in spine surgery with the potential to enhance intraoperative visualization and precision by overlaying virtual images on anatomical structures. This bibliometric review analyzes trends in research and publication growth related to AR in spinal neurosurgery between 2013 and 2024.
Methods:
A search across PubMed identified 267 articles.
Results:
After screening, we analyzed 98 relevant studies, revealing exponential growth in AR research, with publications increasing from 1 in 2013 to 28 in 2024. The focus of research evolved over the years, with instrumentation being the dominant topic in 2020, and a broader emphasis on multi-domain AR applications in 2024. The United States led in publication output, followed by Germany, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Conclusions:
The increasing number of studies reflects AR's growing adoption in both specialized and broad spine surgery applications. Although AR has demonstrated its potential to improve surgical precision and education, further research is needed to assess long-term clinical outcomes and overcome barriers to widespread implementation.
