Applications of Augmented Reality Surgical Simulation

Tags: augmentedreality, surgicaltraining, surgicalsimulation, medicalanimation
Published: 2021-01-25 12:36:41

Evidently, augmented reality surgical simulation is an effective learning tool in surgical training and aids chief residents to upgrade the success rate of surgeries. As it encourages minimally invasive surgical procedures, it is extensively used in various sub surgical fields. Let’s throw light on the applications of augmented reality surgical simulation in few critical sub surgical fields.

**Neurosurgery**

As a surprising fact, **the augmented reality surgical simulation was first implemented in the neurosurgical field**. The proposed system imitates the character of augmented reality since the virtual anatomical structures are spatially connected with the real patient’s anatomy.  With the help of virtual 3D anatomical images, neurosurgeons are able to explore, examine and resolve the prospective patient’s disorders with precision.

Moreover, **there is also a proof study that augmented reality surgical simulation helps physicians to remove brain tumors**. With the use of navigating 3D brain images overlaid on the prospective patient’s brain, neurosurgeons are able to locate the tumor and extracted the abnormal mass tissue. 

Before the commencement of augmented reality in the neurosurgical field, chief residents were executing surgeries with the help of 2D images on the display, simultaneously focussing at the prospective patient’s anatomy, which may cause disturbance to the surgical workflow. 

Augmented Reality surgical simulation comes with a solution with superimposing the virtual 3D anatomical structures on the real-time prospective patient, improving the skills of surgeons, and tuning them to work efficiently contributing towards their goal. 

**Orthopedic Surgery**

Paradoxically, there are **31 studies and reports on the application of augmented reality in various subfields in orthopedic surgery including implant surgery, osteotomy, Tumor treatment,  surgical training and education,** etc. The study revealed that augmented reality surgical simulation is a time-saving technique for physicians to train on new surgical procedures. 

Also, it minimizes the risk of patients as well as promotes a safe-healthy environment. In addition, manifested that **it is an indispensable self-surgical training tool for novices, as it delivers a cost-effective, safe learning environment for surgical training.**

Besides, there is a medical study that demonstrated **augmented reality surgical simulation plays an imperative role in the  replacement of knee**. The proposed system comprises a unique device, the mechatronic arthroscope that allows the physicians to induce a force to navigate the knee joint without any impairs. Since the images are overlaid with the real patient’s anatomy, orthopedic surgeons were able to explore, detect the defects and fix up it within a short span. 

Moreover, augmented reality orthopedic surgical simulation helps the chief residents in the surgeries that involve a **placement of the intramedullary rod, reforming the cartilage, and clearing the tumors** etc.

**Otolaryngology**

Indeed, there is a systematic study review based on  PRISMA,(Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses)  assessing the applications of augmented reality surgical simulation in surgeries for treating the imperfections of the nose, ear, and throat. 

Additionally, there are twenty-three articles released between the years 1997 and 2018. From these 23 articles,**18 unique Augmented reality platforms were developed.** These augmented reality platforms help surgeons to outperform minimally invasive surgical procedures related to the head and neck with help of laparoscopes, endoscopes, etc. **Augmented reality surgical simulation is extensively applied in intraoperative guidance.**

Furthermore, augmented reality surgical simulation aids otolaryngologists in the removal of abnormal tissue in a nasal biopsy, skull base surgery using an endoscope, orbital decompression surgery that involves removal of bones and fat, and clearance of other foreign body.
 
As the technology easy to use, augmented reality simulation is a crucial tool for ENT surgeons to research, scrutinize, and practice new surgical procedures. As well, it builds confidence in the surgeons to outperform the surgeries successfully.

**Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery**

The oral and maxillofacial surgical field is the most common application of augmented reality surgical simulation. Significantly, **there are 8 studies on the usage of augmented reality surgical simulation in reforming irregularities of bones on the jaw, mouth, and face.** 

As this surgical field involves fixing unevenness, surgeons require a clear-cut anatomical structure of the prospective patients to make a plan of action. In a few cases, the process may take time, complex, and fail to rectify the disorders. Augmented reality sets froth for diagnosing the defect areas and clearing the abnormal bones or tissues with precision.

Also, **it also plays a crucial role in dental implantation, orthognathic surgery involves treating the upper and lower jaw defects, and pre-prosthetic surgery that rectify the disorders of oral tissues. In addition, it helps in performing plastic and reconstructive surgeries**. There is also a claim that augmented reality surgical simulation is a simple, convenient, and sophisticated surgical technique to apply in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

 In this study, researchers utilized an exclusive digital camera to capture 3D images of facial structures and computed tomography scans to scrutinize the disorder of the prospective patients. These high-quality digital images have then resembled in a virtual environment. With the use of navigating virtual images, physicians were able to execute surgeries with precision as well as within a short span.

Hope you got the incredible role of augmented reality surgical simulation in various sub surgical fields. 

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