The Start of a New Surgical Era

When I began my surgical career, robotic assistance in the operating room sounded more like science fiction than everyday reality. Today, it is an essential part of how I perform many of my spinal surgeries. Robotics is not just a flashy new tool, it is a powerful, precise system that helps us deliver safer, faster, and more effective outcomes for our patients.

I have always believed in the importance of doing things with care and accuracy. That is why I embraced robotic technology early on. When I served as Medical Director of Robotic Spine Surgery at Baptist Medical Center, I saw how this technology could transform patient care. Now, at Altus Medical Group, robotics continues to play a central role in the way we perform spine surgeries.

Why Precision Matters in Spine Surgery

The spine is one of the most complex structures in the body. It protects the spinal cord, supports your body weight, and allows for movement and flexibility. When something goes wrong — like a herniated disk, spinal stenosis, or a deformity, surgery might be needed to relieve pain or restore function.

In spine surgery, millimeters matter. A screw placed even slightly off-center can impact nerve function, stability, or long-term outcomes. Before robotics, surgeons relied heavily on X-rays, fluoroscopy, and their own steady hands to get everything just right.

While that approach worked well for experienced surgeons, it was not always perfect. The margin for error was small, and the process could be time-consuming. Robotic systems now give us a higher level of control, visibility, and consistency.

What Robotic Surgery Looks Like in the OR

Patients often ask me, “So the robot does the surgery for you?” The short answer is: No, the surgeon is still in full control. Think of the robot as a highly advanced assistant that enhances my hands, eyes, and brain during surgery.

Here is how it works:

• Before the procedure, we take a 3D image of the patient’s spine using a CT scan.
  
• That image is uploaded into the robotic software, allowing us to plan the entire surgery virtually.
  
• During the operation, the robot uses this plan to guide my instruments with incredible precision.
  
• I make all the decisions, insert all the tools, and perform every part of the surgery. The robot simply helps me stay exactly on track, down to fractions of a millimeter.
  

This kind of precision helps reduce blood loss, lowers the risk of complications, and often leads to quicker recovery times.

Smaller Incisions, Faster Recovery

One of the biggest benefits of robotic surgery is the ability to perform minimally invasive procedures. That means smaller incisions, less damage to surrounding muscles, and faster healing.

In traditional open spine surgery, we had to make large cuts to access the spine and place screws or implants. Now, with robotic assistance, we can make tiny incisions and still achieve perfect alignment of hardware like screws, rods, and disks.

For patients, this translates to:

• Less post-operative pain
  
• Lower risk of infection
  
• Shorter hospital stays
  
• Faster return to work and daily activities
  

I have seen patients walk the same day after surgery and return to regular life in a matter of weeks, something that was unthinkable just a decade ago.

Personalized Surgery for Every Patient

Another game changer in robotic spine surgery is the personalization it allows. Every spine is different. Anatomy can vary due to age, bone density, previous surgeries, or injuries. Robotics lets us plan the surgery based on the individual patient, not just the textbook.

Using AI-assisted software, we can predict how the spine will respond to different surgical techniques. This lets us customize things like:

• Implant angles and lengths
  
• Screw trajectories
  
• Disk replacement options
  
• Real-time adjustments based on spinal motion
  

This level of customization ensures that each patient receives a surgery that is uniquely suited to their condition and body.

A Better Way Forward

We are now seeing hospitals and surgical centers around the world adopting robotic systems for spinal procedures. As more data becomes available, it is clear that robotic spine surgery is more than a trend, it is the future of the field.

At Altus Medical Group, I am proud to lead a team that prioritizes innovation while never losing sight of what matters most: our patients. I work alongside incredible colleagues like Dr. Kevin Kaplan and Dr. Jon Graham, and together we use the best tools available to provide cutting-edge care.

The robot is not replacing the surgeon, it is helping us be the best surgeons we can be. It gives us the power to operate with more precision, more safety, and more confidence than ever before.

Continuing to Evolve

As someone who has always been passionate about engineering and problem-solving, whether it is restoring vintage cars or navigating the spinal cord, I find this technology fascinating. But what excites me most is what it means for our patients.

We are no longer limited by the boundaries of our hands alone. With robotics, we can give people their movement, their comfort, and their quality of life back.

And that, to me, is what modern medicine should be about, using the most advanced tools in the world to help people live fully and pain-free.

Would you like me to draft a follow-up blog that explores AI’s role in pre-surgical planning and patient-specific spinal implants? It would pair perfectly with this piece as a look into the next evolution of spine care.