An orthopedic surgeon at St. Joseph's Health Care London is one of the first doctors in the world to use digital 3D holograms for shoulder replacements.
At the Roth | McFarlane Hand and Upper Limb Centre, Dr. George Athwal has become Canada's pioneer in developing and performing mixed reality shoulder replacement surgeries. By wearing specially designed headset, Dr. Athwal uses verbal commands and hand movements to manipulate a 3D hologram of a patient's anatomy and the metallic implant during surgery, which is based on a CT scan of the patient's bones.
The technique, used for preoperative planning as well as in the operating room during the surgery, is expected to reduce complications and improve outcomes. Dr. Athwal is the first surgeon in Canada to perform the procedure and the second in the world.
"It is a groundbreaking tool that allows me to replicate the surgical plan very precisely," said Dr. Athwal. "I am able to see issues with impingement of the joint replacement and ensure the best fit for the implant, which will hopefully provide the best outcome for the patient."
Dr. Athwal worked with Styker Corporation, a manufacturer of medical equipment including shoulder implants, and Microsoft, the creator of the HoloLens 2 to develop the procedure.
He added that interest in the mixed reality procedure is starting to take flight from other surgeons around the world.
"It’s really helping physicians do a precise and fine-tuned shoulder replacement, which will hopefully result in a lower complication rate and therefore an anticipated higher success rate and longevity of the newly replaced joint."