Augmented Reality Assisted Spine Surgery: Applications and Future Directions

Pedicle screw placement remains the most widespread application of augmented reality (AR) assisted spine surgery. Several studies have demonstrated the accuracy, safety, and efficiency of this enabling technology. However, there are emerging applications for this tool beyond pedicle screw placement and additional applications include a growing number of preoperative planning steps and intraoperative techniques including osteotomy planning for en bloc sacrectomy and cascade planning in deformity correction. The objective of this review was to explore and present case examples demonstrating promising applications of AR-assisted spine surgery beyond pedicle screw placement. Because AR technology continue to evolve and new innovations emerge, there is promise in leveraging this technology to streamline key processes across the spine surgical continuum.