2 minute read
K. Anthony Kim, MD, FAANS
Neurosurgeon
Dr. Kim completed both a neurosurgery residency and a complex spine fellowship at the University of Southern California (USC) Department of Neurosurgery. His spine fellowship included reconstructive spine techniques in tumor, deformity, and trauma as well as minimally invasive spine techniques.
He strives to be at the forefront of neurosurgery and spinal technologies. His goal is to combine compassionate patient care with the most up-to-date evidence-based medicine, and to provide patients with teaching, insight, and knowledge of the pros and cons of recent advances in the field. Currently, in collaboration with Mission hospital, Dr. Kim has performed the most Mazor X robotic spine cases in the state of California (partnership with Medtronic). His team also boasts one of the highest volumes of computer navigated spine and scoliosis cases in the country, currently over 1000 in a single surgeon.
In recent years, advancements in technology have enabled medical professionals to use spinal navigation to enhance the efficacy of all spinal and deformity surgeries. Navigation has also been combined with endoscopic and augmented reality helmets as well. With the addition of spinal robotics in the last two years, Dr. Kim and Mission hospital strive to improve the accuracy rate of instrumentation and guided surgical care to < 0.5% inaccuracy and 0.05% infection rates and faster patient recovery. As with all technologies, the machine advancement alone is not sufficient; as airplanes need pilots, surgical robots need experienced navigation surgeons. “We’ve come a long way from the 1980s when spinal instrumentation had an allowable ‘misrate’ or inaccuracy of 16 percent. That means it was acceptable for up to 16 percent of screws to be near a nerve, loose, or in the wrong location. I want to use robotics and navigation as dialogue pieces to change that mindset.”
“Robotic surgery – in my mind – is another way of saying more accurate, safer, pre-planned surgery. I like to think, the better the technology, the freer the surgeon is to focus on the final product to make it more elegant and balanced. As with any art form, the field of robotic spine surgery needs continuous training and advancements to produce the final product that improves a patient’s life.”
SPECIALTIES
Neurosurgery Brain tumors Minimally invasive Spine Complex Spine and Scoliosis/ Deformity
EDUCATION & TRAINING
Medical Education: University of Southern California - Keck School of Medicine Residency: LAC-University of Southern California – Department of Neurosurgery Fellowship: LAC-University of Southern California – Department of Neurosurgery
26732 Crown Valley Pkwy., Ste. 541 / Mission Viejo, CA 92691
