When elite surgeons gear up for complex operations, they’re not just reaching for scalpels—they’re also booting up artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and robotics. The result? Faster surgeries, fewer complications, and a major leap in precision medicine.
Let’s step into the OR and explore how the future of surgery is already here—and what it means for patients and providers alike.
Operating Rooms Meet Operating Systems
Dr. Surena Namdari, a top-ranked shoulder surgeon at Rothman Orthopaedics and professor at Thomas Jefferson University, starts each procedure with more than just prep work—he digitally rehearses the operation before even scrubbing in.
Using 3D imaging from pre-op CAT scans, Namdari maps out shoulder implants in a virtual environment, adjusting size and placement with surgical precision. Then, augmented reality (AR) headsets bring the plan into the real world during surgery, guiding him in real time—within millimeters of accuracy.
This high-tech method doesn’t just improve outcomes. It’s also made clear that the old “eyeballing it” technique? Not nearly as accurate as once believed.
Predicting Risks Before the First Incision
AI isn’t just showing up in the OR—it’s also stepping in before patients hit the table.
Rothman surgeons, including Namdari, use massive volumes of surgical data to train AI systems that flag patients who may be at risk for post-op complications like infections or fractures. These predictive insights help doctors personalize care and take proactive measures—long before problems arise.
AI Assistants with a Bedside Manner
On the admin side, AI is quietly fixing one of healthcare’s biggest headaches: documentation.
Dr. Christopher Jones, another Rothman standout and No. 2 in Newsweek’s hand surgeon ranking, sees up to 45 patients daily. For him, AI note-taking tools are a game-changer. These systems listen to patient-doctor conversations and automatically generate clinical notes—freeing up time and, crucially, allowing him to maintain eye contact and connection during consultations.
Even more impressive? AI tools like ChatGPT can translate complex medical jargon into plain language, helping patients truly understand their care.
Tech That Heals the Body—and Lightens the Load
Dr. Alexander Vaccaro, president of Rothman Orthopaedics and a top-ranked spine surgeon, is all-in on AI’s potential.
Spine surgery is physically and mentally taxing. But with AI and robotic assist tools, Vaccaro said his stress levels (monitored via heart rate and perspiration) significantly drop. The bonus? Faster, more accurate surgeries with fewer risks.
Yet he’s clear-eyed about AI’s flaws—especially around data bias. “Automatically, the data is flawed,” he said, noting gaps in data for marginalized communities and the need to account for social determinants of health.
AI Meets the Empowered Patient
AI isn’t just helping doctors—it’s changing how patients show up.
Today’s patients are using tools like ChatGPT to research symptoms, ask for treatment suggestions, and walk into appointments more informed than ever. Vaccaro sees this as a positive shift: “They tend to not want to take the risks as often for some elective procedures, because they are fully knowledgeable about the potential complications.”
AI is helping patients become partners in care—and that’s transforming the doctor-patient dynamic for the better.
Innovation Without Losing the Mission
Despite all the digital bells and whistles, these leading surgeons are clear: Technology enhances care, but it doesn’t replace the human side of medicine.
“Job one is always to provide and deliver superior patient care,” said Namdari. “I think the way we get to those goals will change, and the way we evaluate whether we’ve reached those goals will change. But the goals themselves? They won’t.”
AI is here to help surgeons operate smarter, faster, and with more empathy. And in the hands of the best, it’s not replacing doctors—it’s elevating them.
References
- Newsweek: AI Isn’t Replacing Leading Doctors—It’s Making Them Better
- American Medical Association: AI Adoption in Healthcare 2024
- Rothman Orthopaedics
