Introduction
Augmented reality (AR) has revolutionized the field of surgery, offering a new dimension of visualization and guidance for surgeons. This blog post provides an in-depth exploration of the applications, benefits, and limitations of augmented reality in surgery, focusing on its impact in orthopedic and head and neck surgeries.
Background Information:
Augmented reality (AR) is a rapidly emerging technology that has shown great potential in various surgical settings. It involves the superimposition of computer-generated information onto the real-world environment, providing surgeons with enhanced visualization and guidance during procedures. Recent studies have demonstrated the use of AR in orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, and head and neck cancer re-resections, highlighting its impact on precision, accuracy, and surgical outcomes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7.
Current Research and Developments:
Recent research has focused on the clinical feasibility and accuracy of AR in orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, and head and neck cancer re-resections. Studies have investigated the use of AR head-mounted devices, holographic AR headsets, and augmented reality appliances to provide surgeons with three-dimensional, patient-specific anatomical information during surgical procedures. The findings have shown that AR has the potential to improve surgical accuracy, safety, and efficacy, particularly in complex surgical procedures such as deformity correction, osteotomies, and tumor surgery. Surgeons have reported overall satisfaction with the application of AR technology and have expressed the demand for future access to it 3 4 5 6 7.
Practical Applications:
The practical applications of AR in surgery include its use in clinical assessment, surgical workflow, training, and intraoperative navigation. AR has been found to improve the efficiency of surgical procedures, facilitate intraoperative planning, and enhance surgical guidance for complex anatomical structures. Additionally, AR has the potential to reduce exposure to radiation, increase intraoperative accuracy, and improve surgical outcomes in both minimally invasive and invasive surgical procedures 3 4 5 6 7.
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What are the practical applications of augmented reality in surgery?
The practical applications of augmented reality (AR) in surgery are diverse and impactful. AR is used in various areas of modern surgery, including arthroplasty, abdominal cancer surgery, gynecologic surgery, surgical oncology, and orthopedic surgery. Some of the key practical applications of AR in surgery include:
- Preoperative Planning and Intraoperative Navigation: AR is used for preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation in abdominal cancer patients, allowing surgeons to verify the radicality of the operation, have visual control of anatomical structures, and reduce the time of surgical intervention 1.
- Surgical Training and Education: AR is employed for surgical training and education, such as spine surgery training, tele-guided shoulder arthroplasty, and building patient-specific hybrid simulators for orthopedic open surgery. It allows for virtual interactive presence, real-time feedback, and proctoring of procedures using AR technology 2.
- Improving Efficiency and Safety: AR devices enable doctors to visualize diagnostic data, establish therapeutic procedures, and improve work efficiency and safety. It contributes to the increase in the quality of medical training and a decrease in the costs of surgeries 3 2.
- Visualization of Anatomical Structures: AR provides a three-dimensional anatomical model obtained from CT scans, which can be rigidly attached to the patient’s body, allowing visualization of anatomical structures and the border zone of the tumor. It also allows for the change in the position of the patient during the operation 1.
- Optimization of Decision Making: Artificial intelligence and augmented reality are incorporated into medical practice to optimize decision making and improve patient outcomes, particularly in gynecologic surgery 4.
These practical applications of AR in surgery demonstrate its potential to improve surgical procedures, enhance patient care, and advance medical training and education.
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How can augmented reality improve surgical training and efficiency?
Augmented reality (AR) enhances surgical training by providing an alternative technique to bridge the theory-practice gap in plastic surgery training and education 1. It is capable of realizing the aims of education and training in the field of plastic surgery by offering breakthrough technological initiatives to improve surgical education, especially in the current COVID-19 epidemic situation 1. AR has been applied in numerous facets of plastic surgery training, and it is capable of improving the safety and efficiency of surgical techniques, as well as presenting them to students and residents 2. The intra-operative use of AR by projecting MRI/CT images of anatomical areas invaded by tumors and/or images of normal anatomy helps in performing surgeries and presenting them as teaching material 2. Additionally, AR devices enable doctors to visualize diagnostic data, establish therapeutic procedures, and improve work efficiency and safety, contributing to an increase in the quality of medical training and a decrease in the costs of surgeries 2.
What are the limitations of augmented reality in surgery?
The limitations of augmented reality (AR) in surgery include the following:
- Image Registration and Alignment : One of the main limitations of AR-based surgery is the challenge of image registration and alignment. This difficulty can lead to registration errors, outcomes trapped in local minima, and problems with occlusion and maximizing overlapping parts 1 2 3.
- Technical and Ergonomic Shortcomings : Surgeons have pointed out technical and ergonomic shortcomings of AR devices used in surgery. This includes issues with functionality of voice commands and gestures, as well as the comfort and usability of the AR head mounted device 3.
- Limited Application in Certain Surgical Techniques : The potential for AR technology is found to be lower in arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery, indicating that its application may be limited in certain surgical techniques 3.
These limitations highlight the challenges in achieving precise image registration, addressing technical and ergonomic issues, and expanding the application of AR technology in various surgical settings.
What are the future and challenges of augmented reality in surgery?
The future of using augmented reality (AR) in surgery is promising, with potential advancements in neurosurgery, hip-related surgery, and robotic surgical training. In neurosurgery, AR-assisted surgeries have shown promise in spine surgeries, pedicle screw placement, and neuro-oncology, with reported improvements in accuracy, patient outcomes, and collaboration among neurosurgeons 1. The application of AR in hip-related surgery includes preoperative operation simulation and training, intraoperative navigation tools, and postoperative rehabilitation, offering benefits such as reduced surgical risks, improved surgical success rates, and assistance in operating more accurately and safely 2. Additionally, in robotic surgical training, the use of AR platforms like Proximie is proposed to reduce costs and overcome geographic limitations, providing real-time feedback and immersive training environments for trainees 3. The challenges of using AR in surgery include the need for strong microcomputers, widely distributable and comfortable AR surgical headsets, and integration with existing hospital software and neuronavigation systems. Furthermore, the cost-effectiveness of AR-assisted surgeries compared to traditional techniques, the need for large-scale randomized control trials, and the fiscality of AR technologies are areas of concern that require further analysis and validation 1.
