Health
First-ever augmented reality abdominal surgery performed in Chile: 'A revolution'
The future of surgery is within reach.
The first-ever augmented reality (AR) abdominal surgery was performed on March 11 in Santiago, Chile, by Dr. Alberto Rodriguez.
A surgeon as well as the CEO of Levita Magnetics, a medical equipment manufacturer in Silicon Valley, Rodriguez helped develop a system that uses AR technology to enable less invasive surgery with a wider view for the surgical team.
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Through the lens of Meta’s Quest 3 XR headset and Levita’s MARS system, Rodriguez was able to successfully perform a cholecystectomy, also known as gallbladder removal surgery.
By developing the technology, Levita Magnetics aimed to address the limitations that surgeons face, Rodriguez told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Dr. Alberto Rodriguez, pictured here, said the MARS system gives surgeons “two extra arms” for instrument control, as well as camera stability. (Levita Magnetics)
“That’s why we decided to start the company, to create better tools for surgeons,” he said.
The FDA-approved MARS system, which combines “machines and magnets,” is currently available in the U.S. and in Chile, Rodriguez said.
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“This is a platform that enables the surgeon to do the surgery in a better way,” he said.
“I did the surgery, and I can tell you that it’s a better way.”
“With the magnets, you reduce the number of incisions for the patient. That means less pain, fewer scars [and] a better recovery.”
He added, “The machine enables you to control the tools, so you can see better and have control.”
“It’s super rewarding to see it and feel it,” Rodriguez said about his first AR surgery — he’s pictured here. He also told Fox News Digital, “You have more immersion in the surgery, so you are more focused on what you’re doing.” (Levita Magnetics)
Levita developed the AR component as an accessory to the MARS system to improve visualization.
“You have more immersion in the surgery, so you are more focused on what you’re doing,” Rodriguez said — comparing it to “moving with the surgery.”
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Any new AR headset can be linked to the MARS software, according to a press release.
Rodriguez plans to conduct a clinical trial on the benefits of AR surgery, focusing on ergonomics and precision.
The March 11 surgery was also the first clinical case that integrated a magnetic surgery machine with AR technology, according to Levita Magnetics of Silicon Valley. (Levita Magnetics)
“I did the surgery, and I can tell you that it’s a better way,” he said.
“So, we want to have more data in order to back up those first impressions.”
After the surgery, the patient fully recovered within two weeks, the surgeon reported.
‘Opens a new world’
As artificial intelligence continues to expand in the health care space, Rodriguez projected that having an enhanced “digital view” through AR will help provide images and analysis of patients.
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“It opens a new world for how the surgeon can access [data] in real time during the surgery,” he told Fox News Digital.
“Other surgeons in any part of the world can see what you’re doing, see the patient on the operating table and give you advice.”
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He added, “It will be a revolution in how surgeries are performed, and I’m very happy [about] how technology is empowering surgeons to do more.”
Dr. Rodriguez, pictured here, predicts AR surgery will be a “revolution.” (Levita Magnetics)
Dr. Harvey Castro, an ER physician and an expert on AI in health care, told Fox News Digital that Rodriguez’s method “marks a pivotal evolution in medical technology” — but also urged caution.
He was not involved in the new surgery or process.
“This innovative approach enhances surgical precision and patient care, but introduces significant changes and challenges requiring careful consideration,” he said.
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Castro listed multiple benefits of using AR in surgical procedures, including immersive visualization, minimally invasive techniques, improved patient outcomes and collaboration within the medical field.
Dependency on this kind of technology, however, could cause surgeons to become reliant on AR, “potentially diminishing their confidence and competence in conducting surgeries without technological assistance,” Castro said.
Harvey Castro, M.D., is the author of the book “Apple Vision Healthcare Pioneers: A Community for Professionals & Patients” (Feb. 2024). (Dr. Harvey Castro)
“Ensuring the reliability of AR systems is crucial,” he went on. “Protocols must be established to revert to traditional methods if AR technologies fail.”
Castro also mentioned that AR systems can be “susceptible to glitches and failures, disrupting surgeries and posing patient safety risks.”
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“Current AR headsets may have issues with field of view, resolution and comfort, particularly during long surgeries,” he said.
Castro noted that “proper management, careful planning and ongoing evaluation will be essential to ensure that the benefits of AR technology outweigh the costs and challenges, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes and advancing surgical practices.”
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Health
Switching from cigarettes to vapes linked to higher risk of major eye diseases, large study finds
US cigarette smoking drops to record low, vaping and nicotine pouch use surges
Fox News medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel discusses a New England Journal of Medicine study reporting US adult cigarette smoking rates dropped to a record low of 9.9% in 2024. Siegel warns about the addictive nature of vaping and nicotine pouches, which contain high levels of nicotine. He expresses concern over potential GI tract and heart issues, stressing social media’s role in promoting these products to younger generations.
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Switching from cigarettes to electronic vapes is often seen as a healthier move, but a massive nationwide study published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology suggests that smokeless alternatives could increase the risk of serious eye diseases compared to quitting nicotine altogether.
Researchers from the Korea University College of Medicine in Seoul, South Korea, analyzed health data from a group of 179,273 adults through the Korean National Health Insurance Service, according to a press release.
All participants had smoked traditional cigarettes between 2011 and 2012 and then quit smoking by 2018 or 2019, they reported.
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To ensure a fair comparison, the researchers paired up participants who shared similar backgrounds, including their age, gender, medical history, existing health conditions and general lifestyle habits.
Switching from cigarettes to electronic vapes is often seen as a healthier move, but a large study suggests it could pose a risk to eye health. (iStock)
This process created a balanced group of 32,316 matched participants, who were divided into two categories: complete quitters who stopped using all nicotine products and those who transitioned to smokeless nicotine products, such as vapes.
The researchers followed the participants for an average of 4.6 years to determine whether they developed eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and focus-related eyesight disorders.
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Over the tracking period, the group experienced a total of 6,328 major eye disease events. People who quit nicotine entirely had the lowest disease rate in the study, at 41.1 cases per 1,000 person-years (a measure that accounts for both the number of people in the study and how long they were followed).
In comparison, that rate rose to 44 cases for individuals who had switched over to smokeless alternatives like vapes.
The people included in the study were divided into two main categories: complete quitters who stopped using all nicotine products, and switchers who transitioned to smokeless tobacco or nicotine products, like vapes. (iStock)
Ultimately, the data showed that switching to alternative nicotine products carried a steady 7% increased risk of serious eye diseases compared to quitting nicotine completely.
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Most notably, those who switched faced a 24% higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
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Additionally, those who ditched cigarettes for vapes had a 7% higher risk of developing refractive and accommodation disorders, which affect the eye’s ability to focus clearly.
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“These findings challenge the assumption that substituting noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products for conventional cigarettes is visually harmless,” the researchers noted.
“These findings challenge the assumption that substituting noncombustible nicotine or tobacco products for conventional cigarettes is visually harmless,” the researchers noted. (iStock)
The authors did point out a few limitations of the research. Because this was a study looking back at health insurance data, it cannot definitively prove that vaping directly causes eye damage.
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Additionally, the study relied on people filling out questionnaires about their own smoking and vaping habits, which can sometimes lead to underreporting or simple memory errors.
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Still, the researchers concluded the findings suggest that replacing cigarettes with alternative nicotine products may not eliminate the risk of certain eye diseases.
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