Medical City Frisco first in state to use artificial intelligence, augmented reality system in spinal surgeries

The Medical City Frisco hospital made Texas history.

The Frisco-based chapter of Medical City Healthcare is the first hospital in Texas and fifth in the U.S. to use an artificial intelligence and augmented reality-based system for spinal surgery, according to a March 27 press release from the hospital.

“We are proud to be at the leading edge of adopting innovative technology at Medical City Frisco,” Medical City Frisco CEO Patrick Rohan said in the press release.

The new technology, called HOLO Portal Surgical Guidance System by Surgalign, does not remove doctors from the operating room, according to the press release. The technology is used to create a detailed 3D model of the area in need of surgery in each patient, ensuring a unique and specialized surgery plan for doctors to use in surgery.

Surgeons are also able to see AR projections of the plan in real time while they operate, according to the press release.

Artificial intelligence-led surgeries such as this are designed to achieve better surgical outcomes and could reduce the number of complications for patients, according to the press release. The enhanced visuals from the projections and tasks completed by the AI also allow surgeons to work more efficiently, which could lead to shorter surgeries for the patient.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the use of HOLO Portal in lumbar spinal surgeries in early 2022, establishing it as the world’s first AI and AR-guided technology for spinal surgeries, according to the press release.

“Being the first in Texas to offer technological solutions like this for our patients’ health care needs reflects why patients seek us out as the destination of choice for health care excellence,” Rohan said.

More information on Medical City Frisco services can be found on its website.

Editor's note: This article has been updated to clarify Medical City Frisco is part of the Medical City Healthcare system.