Jake McDonnell

Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Jake McDonnell is a rising figure in orthopaedic and spine surgery research, with a focused expertise in the integration of robotic-assisted technologies into spinal procedures. His work primarily addresses the learning curves, technical proficiency, and clinical outcomes associated with robot-assisted spine surgery, aiming to bridge the gap between surgical innovation and practical implementation. McDonnell’s most cited paper, “Surgeon proficiency in robot-assisted spine surgery” (2020, 38 citations), critically examines how continuous technical improvement and advanced tools—such as intraoperative CT imaging and surgical robots—can enhance patient outcomes. This contribution has helped define benchmarks for surgeon competency in a rapidly evolving field. More recently, his 2025 meta-analysis on the learning curve of robotic pedicle screw placement (3 citations) synthesizes individual patient data to guide training and adoption. Though early in his career, McDonnell’s work is already shaping how surgeons and institutions evaluate the transition to robotic systems, making him a key voice in the future of minimally invasive, technology-driven spine surgery.