News highlights
For the first time in the Kingdom and the Middle East, the Orthopedic Surgery Department at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University successfully performed a shoulder joint replacement surgery using mixed reality technology on a patient in her sixties. This new medical achievement will contribute to strengthening the future of orthopedic surgeries in the Kingdom and providing innovative scientific experiences. Mixed reality technology relies on presenting three-dimensional images of the patient’s tissues and bones during surgery, enabling the surgeon to gain deeper visualization of the surgical site and more precise planning during the operation. The importance of mixed reality technology lies in its ability to reduce side complications that tend to increase with traditional joint replacement surgeries, shorten hospitalization and recovery periods, improve outcomes, and enhance the patient’s quality of life. The Consultant of Shoulder and Upper Limb Surgery at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Dr. Adeeba bint Abdulaziz Al-Badran, explained that this landmark achievement confirms the University Hospital’s commitment to medical innovation and enhancing the quality of healthcare services provided to patients. It also highlights Princess Nourah University as among the leading universities applying the latest technologies in education and medical research. She noted that mixed reality technology will contribute to preparing a distinguished generation of physicians through the advanced educational and training experiences it will offer. The surgery was performed after a series of preparations carried out by the medical team, including intensive training on mixed reality technology, surgical simulations, and medical device testing. The team consisted of a group of consultants and specialists in orthopedic surgery and mixed reality technologies, including a large proportion of female staff, reflecting the University Hospital’s commitment to empowering women in the medical field. This achievement represents a shift in the services provided by King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital through harnessing all capabilities and bringing the latest technologies to improve outcomes and operational efficiency, making it the optimal choice for joint replacement surgeries and enabling its services to reach a wider segment of beneficiaries.
