Zach Pennington
Johns Hopkins University, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Mayo Clinic in Florida
Papers
13
Total Citations
283
H-Index
9
About
Zach Pennington is a spine surgeon and researcher whose work sits at the cutting edge of surgical robotics, image guidance, and minimally invasive techniques for spinal fusion and deformity correction. His research has made substantial contributions to understanding how robotic systems can improve the precision and safety of pedicle screw placement, with landmark studies comparing robot-assisted and freehand instrumentation in lumbar fusion that have collectively accumulated hundreds of citations. Notably, Pennington developed a novel three-dimensional grading system to objectively assess robotic screw placement accuracy, offering the field a rigorous framework for evaluating emerging technologies. His systematic reviews and meta-analyses—covering robotic guidance in adult spinal deformity, single-position lateral surgery, and radiation exposure reduction—have helped define best practices across a range of complex clinical scenarios. Pennington has also pioneered augmented reality-assisted S2 alar-iliac screw placement, publishing one of the first in-human reports of this technique. With a growing body of work exceeding 270 total citations, his research addresses not only clinical outcomes but also training and learning curves for adopting these technologies, making his contributions invaluable to surgeons and trainees navigating an increasingly technology-driven surgical landscape.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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- 4Spinal Robotics in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: A Systematic Review24 citations · 2024
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