Surgical Innovation at San Camillo Forlanini – Rome

Robotic Surgery with XR and Apple Vision Pro for Complex Oncological Case Thanks to the Surgeree Platform

Rome – A highly complex surgical procedure, performed on a voluminous pheochromocytoma in a patient suffering from a multi-endocrine disease, has marked a new milestone in the adoption of advanced technologies at the San Camillo Forlanini Hospital in Rome. The team led by Prof. Pierluigi Marini, Director of the General Emergency Surgery and New Technologies Unit, and Dr. Grazia Maria Attinà, tackled the case using robotic surgery assisted by augmented reality (XR) through the use of Apple Vision Pro and supported by the capabilities of the Surgeree platform.

“In our commitment to acquiring new technologies aimed at increasing the technological offering, today for the first time we used this approach for a complicated intervention,” stated Prof. Marini. The patient, suffering from a rare multi-endocrine condition, had a considerably large tumor that required utmost precision.

XR technology, integrated with Apple Vision Pro, offered surgeons an enhanced, real-time view of the surgical field. “Through the aid of special glasses, a kind of headset that we can use very comfortably, it was even possible to perform ‘mapped’ surgery, guiding our surgical maneuvers with greater certainty and assurance,” explained Prof. Marini. This type of advanced visualization allows for the overlay of 3D diagnostic data and images directly onto the surgeon’s field of vision, improving orientation and precision.

The Surgeree platform plays a crucial role in this scenario, enabling the management and integration of the patient’s clinical data, pre-operative planning, and the visualization of advanced diagnostic images (such as CT and MRI scans) in 2D and 3D. During the surgery, the system can provide decision-making support, for example, through artificial intelligence to suggest steps or recall protocols. Furthermore, Surgeree’s ability to collaborate with devices like Apple Vision Pro enables video streaming and augmented reality overlay of clinical data and images.

The surgery was concluded successfully: “The patient is doing well, we didn’t see a drop of blood, and I worked in a very comfortable situation,” commented Prof. Marini. He then emphasized that the goal is “to develop these technologies to always provide the surgeon with the best working conditions, to improve the quality and safety of our operating rooms, and to enhance the outcomes for our patients.”

Another fundamental aspect highlighted by the Professor is the training value of these technologies: “This is a wonderful and extraordinary tool for transmitting our knowledge to young surgeons and therefore for investing in training.” Tools like these are considered indispensable, especially in large centers, for this dual mission: improving patient outcomes and enhancing training pathways for new generations of surgeons. The integration of robotics, XR with devices like Apple Vision Pro, and advanced platforms like Surgeree is defining the future of surgery, making it more precise, safer, and more effective.