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Martinez et al. Art Int Surg. 2025;5:16-23 Artificial
DOI: 10.20517/ais.2024.73
Intelligence Surgery

Commentary Open Access

Spino-plastic surgery, back to the future

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Casey Martinez , Camryn Payne , Jonathan L. Jeger , Nicole Van Spronsen , Sebastian Winocou , Maziyar
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A. Kalani , Michael Bohl , Alexander E. Ropper , Edward M. Reece 2
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Alix School of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ 85259, USA.
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Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
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Department of Plastic Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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Department of Neurosurgery, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
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Carolina Neurosurgery & Spine Associates, Charlotte, NC 28204, USA.
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Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 28204, USA.
Correspondence to: Dr. Edward M. Reece, Division of Plastic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 5777 E Mayo Blvd, Phoenix, AZ 85054, USA.
E-mail: reece.edward@mayo.edu
How to cite this article: Martinez C, Payne C, Jeger JL, Van Spronsen N, Winocou S, Kalani MA, Bohl M, Ropper AE, Reece EM.
Spino-plastic surgery, back to the future. Art Int Surg. 2025;5:16-23. https://dx.doi.org/10.20517/ais.2024.73
Received: 3 Sep 2024 First Decision: 31 Oct 2024 Revised: 30 Nov 2024 Accepted: 2 Dec 2024 Published: 4 Jan 2025
Academic Editor: Andrew Gumbs Copy Editor: Pei-Yun Wang Production Editor: Pei-Yun Wang
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful computational tool that is being utilized more frequently in healthcare. AI
holds promise within surgical practice, including application in the care of challenging patient populations. Complex
spine reconstruction requires thorough multi-variable preoperative analysis and then the precise enactment of a
surgical plan. Spino-plastics employs vascularized bone grafts (VBGs) to augment spinal fusion in these high-risk
patients. In this article, we discuss the great breadth of AI and the tremendous potential for advancing the field of
spino-plastics: surgical candidacy and patient selection, imaging and virtual surgical planning (VSP), intraoperative
utilization, and future implementation.

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, spino-plastics, complex spinal reconstruction, machine learning, virtual surgical
planning

INTRODUCTION
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that employ algorithms to analyze data, generate
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predictions, solve problems, and make decisions in a human-like fashion . A range of technologies fall

© The Author(s) 2025. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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