Neurosurgery and spine surgery are currently in the midst of one of the most transformative moments in their history. Just a few years ago, talking about a surgical robot, 3D surgical planning, or using augmented reality in surgery sounded like science fiction. Today, these technologies are part of daily life in many operating rooms.
But this is only the beginning. Over the next ten years, there will be a revolution in how we diagnose, operate on, and rehabilitate patients with neurological and spinal pathologies.
1. Improvements in how surgeries are indicated and executed, thanks to data
One of the huge advances in our field will be the ability to almost instantaneously process immense quantities of data gathered from thousands of patients and previously performed surgeries. This will make it possible to make a more precise decision on whether a spine surgery is really necessary and which technique might be the best solution for a specific patient.
In our team, we always ask ourselves a key question about surgery:
Which is more important: the right surgery, or the right execution? The answer is clear: both are essential.
The right procedure can have a bad outcome if it is performed with poor surgical technique; and the same can happen with perfect technique if the surgery was wrongly indicated.
In the next decade, we will have new digital tools to address both sides of the equation, by making it possible to:
- Better determine if surgery is necessary.
- Personalize the surgical technique according to each case.
- Reduce risks and complications.
2. Increasingly personalized surgical planning
Surgical decisions will no longer be based exclusively on the surgeon's experience or imaging tests. Soon, artificial intelligence (AI) will help by processing data for each case, including:
- Patient’s age, weight, sex, and any comorbidities
- Morphology and biomechanics of the spine
- Bone quality
- Previous surgeries
- Context of the hospital / surgical venue
- Surgeon’s level of experience
Regarding these last two points, it’s important to consider that not all hospitals have the same resources, and not all surgeons have the same education and experience. Support systems such as data processing by AI will make it possible to adapt surgical decisions according to the real scenario.
For example, a more experienced surgeon might suggest a more complex approach, while a younger surgeon might recommend a technique that is just as effective but safer.
3. The rise of the surgical robot and real-time navigation in surgery
Surgical robots and real-time navigation systems that help the surgeon place surgical instrumentation with millimetric precision are already in use. But in the coming years we will see a qualitative leap: AI tools will be able to "accompany" the surgeon as they operate, analyzing each step in real-time, warning of any deviation from the optimal trajectory.
These systems will not replace the surgeon, but will act like an intelligent co-pilot, providing input based on thousands of previous surgeries. Although we are still a long way off from having a robot that can perform a spinal decompression or bone resection on its own, it is quite likely that we may see this within the next 10 years.
Such a development would mean a true democratization of neurosurgery and spine surgery, because it would reduce the effect of variability between operators and improve overall outcomes.
4. Advances in biotechnology, neurostimulation, and regenerative therapies
New developments will go beyond the operating room. Thanks to advances in the field of molecular biology of brain tumors, we know more every day about when a tumor must be completely resected, or whether a less aggressive approach combined with specific therapies would be sufficient.
Regenerative therapies and spinal cord stimulation show promise for treating some spinal injuries and other neurological pathologies:
- Deep brain stimulation for diseases such as Parkinson's, depression, or addiction.
- Spinal cord stimulation for patients with spinal cord injury.
- Epidural spinal cord stimulation for improving chronic axial and radicular pain.
Although more studies are needed, the future points to less invasive and more personalized treatments.
5. The challenge of preserving privacy in a hyperconnected world
As the amount of clinical information increases — images, genetic data, intraoperative recordings — especially in digital formats, so will the challenge of protecting this information. The parties involved are no longer just the hospitals and insurance agencies, but also technology companies and government agencies.
It will be crucial to ensure that the confidentiality and ethical use of this data is protected.
6. Will the human role be reduced in the future?
The younger generations are already using artificial intelligence systems to find answers to health questions, and it is only a matter of time before we get treatment recommendations from a virtual assistant, or hospitals use robots for delivery of medications to patients’ rooms.
The big question is: How will the doctor-patient relationship change in an increasingly automated world?
We will probably have to redefine that ancestral bond, making the best use of technology without losing the benefit that accompanies interaction with a real human.
Conclusion: a promising future for patients
The next decade will radically transform neurosurgery and spine surgery. We will see more accurate diagnoses, safer surgeries, more intelligent robots, and more personalized treatments.
But, above all, we will offer patients the most important thing:
Better results and a higher quality of life.
Dr. Pablo Clavel
Neurosurgeon and Director of Instituto Clavel
Categories: Surgery, Wellness, Innovation