The role of 3D printing, virtual and augmented reality in liver surgery: The technological imperative!

Abstract

Technological innovation has been proven a valuable tool in the modern era of liver surgery. 3-dimensional (3D) printing along with virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR), as part of this technological development, can contribute to avoid high-risk complications during liver surgery. More specific, in terms of liver transplantation, small-for-size and large-for-size syndromes can be avoidable with timely utilization of these modalities, by measuring the volume of both the donor’s liver and recipient’s abdomen. Additionally, artificial bio-printed livers have the potential to minimize the shortage of grafts, yet this novelty needs further development. The same artificial livers can participate in clinical trials of drugs’ hepatotoxicity, removing the risk from living human beings. In hepatic resection, the employment of VR can help hepatobiliary surgeons identify and comprehend the complexity of the anatomic structures of liver parenchyma, especially the related vessels and biliary branches. VR and AR represent new alternatives for the traditional 3D printed models, especially after the increasing availability of relevant medical applications outweighing the disadvantages of 2D models. Apart from their surgical applications, VR and AR can play a valuable role with regards to medical education, not only for medical students, but also for surgical trainees as several studies have shown. Certain limitations, such as those associated with the cost and the time required to generate a 3D prototype, tent to be eliminated due to VR and AR. Unambiguously, further evolution of thistechnology will lead to wider application for the best of patients’ care and perfection of surgical outcomes.