Louisville doctor makes history with first-ever robotic spine surgery

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Norton Healthcare surgeon performed a groundbreaking spine surgery using a new AI-powered robotic system.

Dr. Jeffrey Gum, a spine surgeon with Norton Leatherman Spine, became the first in the world to use Medtronic’s new Stealth AXiS robotic platform during a procedure, according to Norton Healthcare.

The system is designed to improve precision in spine surgery by using AI-assisted guidance and technology that can detect patient movement in real time and automatically adjust during the operation.

"It allows us to track the patient movement in real time," Gum said. "It allows us to be more accurate and more precise with placing our screws."

Gum helped contribute to the development of the technology and said it represents a major step forward in surgical care.

"The efficiency and technology upgrades represent a major leap forward in accuracy and patient safety," he said.

The system received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in February. Norton Healthcare said the milestone highlights continued advances in robotic-assisted spine surgery.