Robert G Louis, MD, FAANS, is the Chief of Neurosurgery and Director of
the Skull Base and Pituitary Tumor Program at Hoag Neurosciences Institute
in Orange County, California. His expertise includes endoscopic and minimally
invasive treatment of benign and malignant brain tumors, sellar and parasellar
tumors and skull base tumors. Through the use of cutting-edge neuroimaging
and neuro-navigational equipment, he utilizes the concept of keyhole neurosurgery,
minimizing the damage to surrounding brain, vascular and soft tissue structures.
Dr. Louis believes that most brain and skull base tumors can be resected
through small openings or by utilizing naturally occurring orifices. This
approach has been demonstrated to decrease post-operative pain, minimize
neurologic complications and shorten the length of hospitalization, resulting
in better outcomes for his patients. Since 2015, Dr Louis has been involved
with the development and implementation of Virtual and Augmented Reality
technologies for pre-operative simulation and rehearsal and intraoperative
navigation. The 3-D VR/AR platform is provided by Surgical Theater and
was developed based on flight simulator technology from F-16 fighter jets.
This technology allows the surgeons to literally rehearse complicated
operations in virtual reality; affording them the opportunity to visualize
critical anatomy and navigate potential pitfalls. The results are making
the operations safer and more effective for patients. Under his guidance,
Hoag Neuroscience Institute has become the highest volume center for Augmented
Reality in Neurosurgery in the United States. Dr. Louis heads several
projects to expand the applications of Mediated Reality Technology in
Neurosciences. These include: virtual reality based meditation to help
nurses with workplace related stress and compassion fatigue, virtual reality
applications for neuro rehab and VR based therapies for decreasing opiate
consumption and addiction. He is also part of the DSR-30, which is working
with NASA on preparing the astronauts for the Mars Mission, scheduled
in 2030. He has recently spoken as an invited guest lecturer at numerous
national and international conferences including Becker’s, HIMSS,
Congress of Neurological Surgeons and Mount Sinai School of Medicine’s
symposium on Digital Neurosurgery. His specialty is in coordinating uses
of advanced technologies in neurosciences across the patient care continuum.
Currently, he is overseeing the widespread implementation of VR and AR
across several institutes at Hoag including Neurosciences, Cancer and
Women’s Health.