An 18-year-old from Ofakim who suffered for years from severe scoliosis is now walking upright following a complex operation at Hadassah Ein Kerem using a new robotic system that incorporates artificial intelligence.

The patient, identified as Shani, was the first in Israel to undergo surgery with the Stealth Axis robot, according to the hospital. She was discharged home less than a week after the procedure and is continuing her recovery with physiotherapy and follow-up care.

Hadassah said the system combines AI capabilities, advanced surgical planning and precise navigation to assist surgeons operating on the spine. It offers a broader working range and greater accuracy than earlier generations of robotic systems, according to the hospital, and had previously been used only a handful of times worldwide.

Before the first operation, a dedicated Hadassah team traveled to the manufacturer’s training center in Switzerland for extensive practical instruction. The delegation included Prof. Josh Schroeder, director of spine surgery at Hadassah Ein Kerem, along with operating room nurses. They practiced using the system in a laboratory designed to simulate operating room conditions.

For Shani and her mother, the surgery marked a major turning point after years of treatment and limitations.

Her mother first noticed something unusual when Shani was in seventh grade. While touching her back, she felt a pronounced asymmetry beside the spine and noticed that her shoulders were uneven. Initially fearing a tumor, she took her daughter for an examination, where doctors diagnosed scoliosis.

Shani described how the condition interfered with everyday activities, including dance classes, where she was unable to perform certain movements because of her back.

She underwent physiotherapy, periodically used a back brace and received ongoing orthopedic monitoring. After being referred to Schroeder in Yerushalayim, the family was advised to continue conservative treatment while she was still growing and consider surgery later.

When the operation was scheduled, her mother said the family was initially apprehensive about being the first in Israel to use the new robot. Learning about the team’s specialized training and the system’s potential benefits helped reassure them.

The surgery lasted more than five hours and involved a multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, an X-ray technician and operating room nurses.

Schroeder said the robot provided substantial assistance during the complex procedure, which proceeded smoothly without technical problems. He described Shani’s postoperative condition as excellent and said Hadassah’s integration of advanced robotics places it at the forefront of spine surgery.

Shani also recalled the personal support she received from Chen Uri, the team member responsible for neural monitoring. Before surgery, Uri held her hand, spoke with her and helped her feel secure. She later visited Shani during her hospitalization.

Her mother praised both the medical care and the staff’s kindness, saying the family felt supported throughout the process.

Shani is now able to stand steadily and walk slowly with her back upright. Further rehabilitation lies ahead, with follow-up planned at Hadassah’s facility in Netivot, closer to her home.

Schroeder said another operation using the robot is already being planned, with additional patients expected to benefit from the technology.

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