[h3]Neurosurgeon Galal A. Elsayed, M.D., and colleagues leveraged virtual reality for meticulous preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation in a spinal revision procedure. Dr. Elsayed, now a Weill Cornell Medicine faculty member at Och Spine at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, used spatial computing, an emergent technology that provides interactive four-dimensional reconstructions derived from radiological imaging. Spatial computing, an emergent technology in the field, provides interactive four-dimensional reconstructions derived from radiological imaging.[/h3] [h3][url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10336895/]To the case report[/url][/h3] [previewyoutube=_QCL0yuaGWU;full][/previewyoutube] Video by Galal A. Elsayed M.D., Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA Utilizing this technology enables a nuanced understanding of patient-specific anatomical structures in a 4D context, which may result in more efficient surgical durations and refined surgical methodologies for both open and minimally invasive spinal interventions. [h2]Case Details[/h2] The case involves a 79-year-old wheelchair-bound male patient who presented chronic lumbar pain and lower extremity weakness. He had previously undergone L2-L5 lumbar decompression with posterior fixation. The new imaging revealed issues including thoracic myelopathy, pseudoarthrosis, and cord compression. The surgery was performed in two stages, addressing various complications, and it utilized virtual reality to assess critical aspects such as the psoas muscle's configuration, graft sizing, and the trajectory of the approach. [h2]Postoperative Results and Technological Insights[/h2] Postoperative assessment revealed an uneventful recovery course. Two months after surgery, the patient reported no back pain and showed continued strength regaining in his lower extremities. Spatial computing not only supported the diagnosis of the patient's condition but also enabled the visualization of thoracic cord compression, ligamentous buckling, and many other complex details. It also helped identify critical landmarks and configurations necessary for surgical planning. [h2]Future Implications [/h2]The success of this case illustrates the potential of virtual reality in revolutionizing spinal surgeries. The team foresees future studies to validate stereopsis and VR for standardizing radiological protocols, which could decrease the incidence of peripheral neuropathies from certain surgical approaches. The innovative application of spatial computing in spinal surgery has opened doors to new possibilities in preoperative planning and postoperative evaluation. It promises not only to enhance the accuracy and safety of the procedures but also to drive further innovation in the field. This case signifies a step forward in the world of medical technology, paving the way for safer and more efficient surgical interventions in the spinal domain.