SARASOTA (June 26, 2025) – Led by orthopedic surgeon Edward Stolarski, MD, Sarasota Memorial Hospital is using the first FDA-cleared mixed reality navigation system to optimize total hip replacement.
Cleared by the FDA in 2024, HipInsight’s 2.0 is the latest intra-operative guidance system developed to help orthopedic surgeons customize hip implant placement, verify accuracy during surgery, and anticipate and safeguard against potential complications, such as dislocations.
Using HipInsight’s mixed reality platform, Dr. Stolarski uses head-mounted Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality glasses to overlay 3D holograms of a patient's pelvis onto the hip during surgery. The enhanced visualization enables him to precisely plan custom implants to fit each patient’s unique anatomy.
Dr. Stolarksi has used the system in more than 100 hip replacements with promising results. He said the advanced technology promotes more precise positioning, especially in complex cases that involve arthritis, hip dysplasia and other complicating conditions.
“HipInsight is the first system to incorporate spinal alignment and pelvic positioning into implant planning,” said Dr. Stolarski. “It displays a 3D hologram over the surgical area in the physician’s direct line of sight during surgery, basically giving surgeons ‘x-ray vision’ to see detailed sequential three-dimensional information in and around the patient's hip joint. That allows us to predict and identify risk factors pre-operatively and map out a treatment plan that supports long-term results.”
The system is used with CT scans before surgery to develop a 3D surgical plan with information on planned component size, pelvic tilt, leg length and offset change, to support accurate and efficient implant positioning. During surgery, surgeons use the Microsoft HoloLens 2 mixed reality glasses to see 3D holograms of a patient's CT scans along with their surgical plan overlayed onto the patient’s hip in their direct field of view. Traditional surgery planning and guidance systems display information on flat screens outside the surgeon’s view.
Hip replacement surgery is performed under spinal anesthesia with a regional block. Dr. Stolarski typically performs the surgery using a minimally invasive anterior approach (front of the leg), which results in less trauma to the muscle tissue. While some patients will stay in the stay in the hospital for a day or two before discharge to home, most are able to walk the same day and go home the same day.
To learn more about orthopedic services at Sarasota Memorial Hospital, visit: smh.com/ortho
About Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
Sarasota Memorial Health Care System is a regional medical center offering Southwest Florida’s greatest breadth and depth of care, with 2,500 physicians and advanced practice providers and nearly 2 million patient visits a year across its network of care. Sarasota County’s largest employer, the community-owned health system includes two full-service hospitals in Sarasota and Venice, freestanding ERs in North Port and Lakewood Ranch, a rehabilitation hospital, behavioral health hospital, skilled nursing facility and comprehensive network of outpatient centers, urgent care clinics and physician practices. Founded in 1925, SMH is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2025 and encouraging community members to visit smh.com/100 throughout the year for centennial events and updates.