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03.07
2025

Surgery 4.0: The innovations reshaping operating rooms

We speak to Vincent Lefauconnier, co-founder of Neo Medical, about how technology is changing the role of surgeons.

In many areas of healthcare, the past few decades have brought about tremendous progress – and surgery is no exception. Patient outcomes – which used to vary wildly depending on where the surgery took place or on the team performing it – are now more consistent across the board.

This is, in part, thanks to minimally invasive techniques that mean operations are performed through smaller incisions. The result has been faster recovery, less pain and fewer complications for patients. Previously risky procedures – like open heart surgery, for instance – have now become safer and more predictable.

One such technique is the use of robotics. Although there has been speculation about robots replacing surgeons in the operating room, Vincent reminds us that robotics is just another tool to help surgeons in their daily work. ‘The first thing to understand,’ he tells us, ‘is that we’re not using actual robots today in the operating room. Why? Because robots make autonomous decisions. Although we talk of “robotic surgery”, what we’re using today are no more than sophisticated tools. Surgeons call the shots. So the terminology is misleading. Another misconception is that robotic surgery has revolutionised the field, but it is still used only in a small minority of spine surgeries across the world.’

In this sense, Vincent goes on to explain, robotic technology hasn’t changed drastically since the turn of the century. ‘The first time I saw robotic surgery used was 26 years ago in Grenoble by the highly renowned surgeon Alim-Louis Benabid. He was developing an approach to treat Parkinson’s disease – with a device that looked like an octopus fixed to the ceiling of the operating room. Over the years we’ve seen these tools become smaller and more precise, but they always rely on a surgeon to make decisions.’

Surgeons were skilled musicians; now they conduct the orchestra. And the performance needs to be on point every single time.

The only constant is change

This doesn’t mean that the role of surgeons has been, and will remain, static. Quite the opposite: it is evolving in step with technology. ‘When I started in this industry,’ Vincent recalls, ‘the focus was on training surgeons to use tools skilfully. They had to operate without all the tech we have today. For instance, they had only just got access to surgical navigation, the technology that guides a surgeon through a procedure – a bit like a GPS for drivers. With navigation, surgeons become more precise, even in the most complex situation.’

Surgeons are not about to become redundant. Rather, their role has changed from operating tools to managing a complex ecosystem of technology, data and people. As Vincent puts it, ‘Surgeons were skilled musicians; now they conduct the orchestra. And the performance needs to be on point every single time.’

Augmented reality – a superpower for surgeons?

The next step in surgery, in Vincent’s eyes, will be to ramp up our use of augmented reality (AR). ‘If a surgeon from the 1950s could time-travel to an operating room today, they’d be blown away by how many screens there are, how many devices are beeping away. Yes, this technology is great, but it’s also a distraction for surgeons. Imagine if, instead of all these screens, information could be interfaced and appear in front of the surgeon’s eyes.’ In this way, surgeons could see real-time data without having to move to and fro between various screens and bits of equipment. Everything would be at their fingertips – or better, within their sight.

These insights are at the core of the company Vincent co-founded, Neo Medical, which aims to revolutionise spine surgery by using AI-driven AR. ‘As we transition from a tool-centric environment to a system-centric environment, we need all the different technologies we use to be integrated and flow seamlessly together. We’ve developed a platform that does this for spine surgery specifically. We do this through AR technology that allows surgeons to tailor treatment to each patient. We always say that we’re transforming complexity – not taking it away, because spine surgery will always be complex – but making everything more efficient to add value to everyone involved in the process: not just the surgeon, but the whole team. Ultimately, we want to make surgery faster, more predictable, safer for patients and better for the environment.’

 Yes, this technology is great, but it’s also a distraction for surgeons.

Innovation vs integration

The challenge lies not so much in innovation as in integration. ‘What is truly difficult is integration,’ says Vincent, ‘because you have to convince many different people to ditch the systems they’ve been using for ever and adopt new ones.’

So how do we convince people to implement a system that could lead to better patient outcomes? The way forward, Vincent suggests, is to focus on the value such changes will bring. ‘I often focus on value rather than on the features of the product itself. It’s not about what it can do, but about the results it brings. Telling a surgeon that our technology can reduce surgery time and infection rates is more efficient than talking about its features. It’s much easier to get people on board when the benefits are palpable.’ But Vincent is keen to point out that it isn’t just about the surgeon. Rather, it’s about adding value for every member of the medical team – it’s about the whole orchestra.

The human touch

Changing mentalities is also about reassurance: instead of replacing surgeons, new tools will help them to make faster and better decisions. Vincent expands on why he doesn’t see AI replacing humans: ‘The decisions will always be made by the medical staff responsible for the patient. Until we have a robot that can go and talk to the patient, surgeons will be around.’

But of course, it’s about more than how able technology is. We can’t undermine the role of human connection. ‘AI will be groundbreaking. It’s super exciting. But it will amplify human skill, not replace it. When it comes down to it, when you’re given a difficult diagnosis, do you want to be talking to a robot? Of course not. You want a human hand on your shoulder and a human voice reassuring you. We need human contact.’

Vincent Lefauconnier
Co-founder & co-CEO of Neo Medical
In 2013, Vincent Lefauconnier co-founded NEO Medical alongside Jonas Larsson, driven by a vision to transform spine surgery through purposeful innovation. Vincent currently serves as CEO, leading the company’s mission to deliver safer, simpler and more sustainable spine care globally.

Vincent began his career at the intersection of biology and business after studying both subjects. With over 26 years of experience in the medtech industry – and particularly in spinal surgery – he has held leadership roles at major players such as Medtronic and Stryker. His first start-up experience was as Chief Commercial Officer at Vexim, which was later acquired by Stryker.

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