Abstract

Spine surgery in military healthcare settings faces unique challenges due to resource limitations, high patient volumes, and the need for cost-effective solutions. The civilian healthcare system continues to struggle with rising healthcare costs and variability in outcomes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool with the potential to address these challenges by improving surgical precision, optimizing resource allocation, and reducing costs. This review examines the current practice patterns of spine surgery in both military and civilian healthcare systems, highlighting the opportunities for AI integration. AI can enhance preoperative planning, assist in surgical decision-making, minimize human error, and streamline postoperative care. In military settings, AI’s ability to optimize resource utilization and provide precision under constrained environments can significantly improve patient outcomes. Meanwhile, in civilian healthcare, AI can reduce patient wait times, enhance care coordination, and lower operational costs. However, successful AI adoption requires overcoming challenges such as technological integration, data privacy concerns, and the need for specialized training for healthcare providers. This article explores the potential benefits and limitations of AI in spine surgery, drawing comparisons between military and civilian contexts, and providing a forward-looking perspective of opportunities in both systems.

Keywords:Artificial intelligence; Spine surgery; Military healthcare; Civilian healthcare; Cost efficiency; Robotics; Preoperative planning