Mixed Reality Technology Helps Restore Mobility in Complex Spine Surgery at Aster Whitefield Hospital

Bengaluru – In a recent case that reflects the growing use of advanced medical technology in India, doctors at Aster Whitefield Hospital performed a complex spinal surgery using Mixed Reality (MR), helping a 37-year-old IT professional recover from a condition that had left her bedridden and unable to walk.

The patient, who had been working in the United States, returned to India for treatment after experiencing progressive weakness in all four limbs for six months. What began as numbness and fatigue developed into quadriparesis, resulting in complete loss of mobility and bladder control.

After evaluations in India, she was diagnosed with Atlantoaxial Dislocation, a condition where the two uppermost vertebrae in the spine become unstable. This can compress the spinal cord, particularly at the junction where the spine meets the brainstem, and may lead to severe neurological complications.

Given the complexity of the case, with spinal structures and critical arteries located near the brainstem, the surgical team decided to utilise Mixed Reality, combining Augmented and Virtual Reality, to gain a deeper understanding of the anatomy and plan the surgery with greater precision.

“Mixed Reality allowed us to visualise the dislocated bones, surrounding blood vessels, and spinal cord in 3D. This helped us anticipate and plan for challenges before entering the operating room,” said Dr. Ramachandran Govindasamy, Consultant – Spine & Deformity Surgeon at Aster Whitefield Hospital.

Technology-Assisted Precision

The team used Mixed Reality to assess the extent of spinal cord compression, identify the position of the vertebral artery, and simulate the surgical steps in advance.

The actual five-hour procedure involved repositioning the vertebrae, decompressing the brainstem and vertebral artery, and fixing the bones with surgical screws guided by intraoperative navigation and neuromonitoring.

“The combination of technology and clinical expertise allowed us to achieve the desired spinal alignment while ensuring patient safety,” said Prof. Dr. Satish Rudrappa, Group Director – Aster International Institute of Neurosciences and Spine Care.

Beyond surgical planning, Mixed Reality was also used to help the patient and her family understand the nature of the condition and the surgery, using holographic 3D visuals to build trust and clarity.

Steady Recovery and Discharge

Post-surgery, the patient showed encouraging progress. She began walking the next day and was discharged within ten days. Her neurological functions returned steadily, and she has since resumed work in the U.S., with no complications reported.

This case reflects how combining surgical expertise with advanced tools like Mixed Reality can support complex procedures and improve patient outcomes in spine care.