The future of surgery is at hand.
The first augmented reality (AR) abdominal surgery was performed on March 11 in Santiago, Chile by Dr. Alberto Rodríguez.
A surgeon as well as the CEO of Levita Magnetics, a medical equipment manufacturer in Silicon Valley, Rodriguez helped develop a system that uses AR technology to enable less invasive surgery with a wider view for the surgical team.
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Through the lens of the Metas Quest 3 XR headset and the Levitas MARS system, Rodriguez was able to successfully perform a cholecystectomy, also known as gallbladder removal surgery.
By developing the technology, Levita Magnetics aimed to address the limitations surgeons face, Rodriguez told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Dr. Alberto Rodríguez, pictured here, said the MARS system gives surgeons “two extra arms” for instrument control, as well as camera stability. (Levita Magnetics)
“That’s why we decided to start the company, to create better tools for surgeons,” he said.
The FDA-approved MARS system, which combines “machines and magnets,” is currently available in the U.S. and Chile, Rodriguez said.
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“This is a platform that allows the surgeon to do surgery in a better way,” he said.
“I had the surgery and I can tell you it’s a better way.”
“With magnets, the number of incisions for the patient is reduced. This means less pain, less scarring. [and] a better recovery.”
He added: “The machine allows you to control the tools, so you can see better and be in control.”
“It’s super rewarding to see and feel,” Rodriguez said of his first AR surgery shown here. He also told Fox News Digital, “You have more immersion in the surgery, so you’re more focused on what you’re doing.” (Levita Magnetics)
Levita developed the AR component as an accessory to the MARS system to enhance visualization.
“You have more immersion in the surgery, so you’re more focused on what you’re doing,” Rodriguez said, comparing it to “moving forward with surgery.”
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Any new AR headset can be linked to the MARS software, according to a press release.
Rodríguez plans to conduct a clinical trial on the benefits of AR surgery, focusing on ergonomics and precision.
The March 11 surgery was also the first clinical case to integrate a magnetic surgery machine with AR technology, according to Silicon Valley’s Levita Magnetics. (Levita Magnetics)
“I had the surgery and I can tell you it’s a better way,” he said.
“So we want to have more data to back up those early impressions.”
After the surgery, the patient made a full recovery within two weeks, the surgeon reported.
It opens up a new world
As artificial intelligence continues to expand in the healthcare space, Rodriguez projected that having enhanced “digital vision” through AR will help provide patient imaging and analysis.
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“It opens up a whole new world of how the surgeon can access [data] in real time during surgery,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Other surgeons anywhere in the world can see what you’re doing, see the patient on the operating table and give you advice.”
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He added: “It’s going to be a revolution in how surgeries are done, and I’m really excited [about] how technology is empowering surgeons to do more.”
Dr. Rodriguez, pictured here, predicts AR surgery will be a “revolution.” (Levita Magnetics)
Dr. Harvey Castro, an ER physician and expert on artificial intelligence in health care, told Fox News Digital that Rodriguez’s method “marks a fundamental evolution in medical technology,” but he also urged caution.
He was not involved in the new surgery or process.
“This innovative approach improves surgical precision and patient care, but introduces significant changes and challenges that require careful consideration,” he said.
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Castro listed multiple advantages of using AR in surgical procedures, including immersive visualization, minimally invasive techniques, improved patient outcomes and collaboration in the medical field.
Reliance on this type of technology, however, could make surgeons dependent on AR, “potentially decreasing their confidence and competence to perform surgeries without technological assistance,” Castro said.
Harvey Castro, MD, is the author of the book “Apple Vision Healthcare Pioneers: A Community for Professionals & Patients” (February 2024). (Dr. Harvey Castro)
“Ensuring the reliability of AR systems is crucial,” he continued. “Protocols should be established to revert to traditional methods if AR technologies fail.”
Castro also mentioned that AR systems can be “susceptible to malfunctions and failures, interrupting surgeries and posing risks to patient safety.”
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“Current AR headsets can have issues with field of view, resolution and comfort, especially during long surgeries,” he said.
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Castro noted that “proper management, careful planning and continuous evaluation will be essential to ensure that the benefits of AR technology outweigh the costs and challenges, ultimately improving patient outcomes and advancing surgical practices.”
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