Liu Zhibin, Huang Junlong, Zhang Hao, Zhang Shuzhuo, Dai Honghao, Jiang Yuexin, Bi Hongtao, Shan Zhongshu
College of Clinical Medicine, Qinghai University, 251 Ningda Road, Xining, 810003, China.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, People's Hospital of Qinghai Province, 2 Gonghe Road, Xining, 810007, China.
J Robot Surg. 2025 Sep 12;19(1):594. doi: 10.1007/s11701-025-02770-y.
Spinal surgery in remote regions of China, including high-altitude plateau areas, faces unique challenges due to limited medical resources, harsh environmental conditions, and shortages of specialized expertise. Robotic spinal surgery and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies offer promising solutions to enhance diagnostic accuracy and support surgical decision-making in these underserved settings. Robotic-assisted systems enhance surgical precision and stability in procedures, such as pedicle screw placement, reducing error rates, and improving patient outcomes even when experienced surgeons are scarce. AI-driven diagnostic and planning tools can rapidly analyze medical images, identify spinal pathologies with expert-level accuracy, and assist in developing personalized surgical plans, effectively extending specialist-level support to local clinicians. The integration of these technologies helps bridge gaps in healthcare delivery by ensuring more timely, accurate diagnoses and safer, more effective spine surgeries for patients in remote areas. Implementing robotics and AI in high-altitude and rural environments, however, requires overcoming challenges. Continued research and development efforts are needed to tailor these systems to local needs, alongside training programs to develop skilled personnel. Looking ahead, the synergy of robotic surgery and AI in spine care represents a transformative direction for improving surgical outcomes and narrowing healthcare disparities in China's remote communities.
在中国的偏远地区，包括高海拔高原地区，脊柱手术面临着独特的挑战，这是由于医疗资源有限、环境条件恶劣以及专业技术人员短缺所致。机器人脊柱手术和人工智能（AI）技术为提高这些医疗服务不足地区的诊断准确性和支持手术决策提供了有前景的解决方案。机器人辅助系统在诸如椎弓根螺钉置入等手术过程中提高了手术精度和稳定性，降低了错误率，即使在经验丰富的外科医生稀缺的情况下也能改善患者预后。人工智能驱动的诊断和规划工具可以快速分析医学图像，以专家级的准确性识别脊柱病变，并协助制定个性化手术方案，有效地为当地临床医生提供专家级支持。这些技术的整合通过确保为偏远地区的患者提供更及时、准确的诊断以及更安全、有效的脊柱手术，有助于弥合医疗服务差距。然而，在高海拔和农村环境中实施机器人技术和人工智能需要克服挑战。需要持续的研发努力，以使这些系统适应当地需求，同时开展培训项目以培养技术熟练的人员。展望未来，机器人手术和人工智能在脊柱护理中的协同作用代表了一个变革性的方向，有助于改善手术效果并缩小中国偏远社区的医疗差距。
