Although no spine innovation may become completely obsolete, some technologies won’t be needed as often over time, Vladimir Sinkov, MD, said.
Dr. Sinkov, of Las Vegas-based Sinkov Spine, shared the technology and techniques that are most likely to be less common.
Question: What’s a spine technique or technology that will be obsolete by 2035? Why?
Dr. Vladimir Sinkov: I do not necessarily think any spine surgery technique will ever completely vanish. Spine surgery can be tricky sometimes because there is a lot of anatomic variability among patients. To be versatile, a spine surgeon needs to be familiar with both new techniques and technology as well as older procedures and tools as a “bail out” in case there is unexpected anatomy, a complication, technology malfunction, or if equipment becomes contaminated or unavailable during the surgery.
With that said, I am hoping that the following technology and techniques will not be used often for routine spine surgery in 10 years:
1. CT scan for intraoperative computer-assisted navigation. There is emerging technology of using an MRI scan and digitally reconstructing it into an equivalent of a CT scan with proper details of bony anatomy. This will decrease radiation exposure to the patient, decrease the cost of care, and make it more efficient to use one scan to visualize both soft tissue and bony anatomy.
2. Rotating drills for bone removal. There are more and more tools using ultrasonic or oscillating burr and drill bit motion to remove bone or create pilot holes for screws. Such technology allows for safer and more efficient bony work that avoids or minimizes damage to nearby soft tissues such as nerves, dura, muscles, and tendons.
3. Manual removal of disc tissue during interbody fusion or disc replacement procedures. I am hoping that there will be technology to automate this process to make disc removal quicker and safer, while avoiding damage to bony endplates.
