Erick M. Westbroek
Papers
3
Total Citations
293
H-Index
3
About
Dr. Erick M. Westbroek is a pioneering neurosurgeon and researcher at the forefront of spinal surgical innovation. His work centers on three interconnected domains: augmented reality (AR) for spinal instrumentation, comparative effectiveness of robotic versus freehand techniques, and patient/surgeon radiation safety. His landmark 2019 study, "Augmented reality–assisted pedicle screw insertion: a cadaveric proof-of-concept study," with 156 citations, demonstrated that AR can project critical visual data directly onto a surgeon's retina, potentially surpassing both manual and robotic-navigated methods in accuracy and safety. This work has catalyzed a paradigm shift in how surgeons visualize anatomy during complex procedures. Dr. Westbroek's systematic review on radiation exposure (71 citations) provided essential benchmarks for minimizing occupational and patient risk during thoracolumbar fusion. His subsequent comparative study of robot-assisted versus freehand instrumentation in short-segment lumbar fusion (66 citations) offered real-world evidence on the benefits of image-guided robotics. Collectively, his research bridges cutting-edge technology with practical surgical outcomes, establishing him as a leading voice in the safe, precise evolution of spinal surgery.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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