I took a pre-operative tour at the hospital this morning in preparation for my upcoming spine surgery. The neurosurgeon is planning to use a special virtual machine to guide the screw placement. Is this new fangled technology really safe?

Yes -- much safer than relying on what the surgeon can see with the naked eye. Placement of screws is more accurate. And there's less risk of screw perforation of important structures nearby. Insertion of screws always comes with a risk of damage to the blood vessels, nerves, or spinal cord.

Today's technology continues to improve making this technique even safer and more accurate. Computer- and virtual-assisted navigation also allows the surgeon to confirm the correct placement of the screws before finishing the operation.

With some of the newest equipment, exposure to radiation is less for the surgeon. Patients can be assessed before the operation using the same imaging device. Surgery can be performed without changing the patient's position.

Even with this updated technology, the surgeon's knowledge of anatomy and technical skill are still important factors. Virtual imaging can't replace experience and careful surgical technique. Surgeons don't rely just on image guidance.