A Ventriculostomy Simulation through Augmented Reality Navigation System for Learning and Improving Skills in Neurosurgery

Abstract

Neurosurgery encompasses a wide variety of procedures that require intracranial access. Specifically, in a ventriculostomy, planning of two main aspects is necessary: the optimal puncture trajectory and the optimal positioning of the catheter tip within a cerebral ventricle for cerebrospinal fluid drainage. Having this in mind, it is key that the puncture is safe and effective so that any postoperative risk can be reduced. In this work, a model based on augmented reality for the ventriculostomy procedure is presented, providing neurosurgeons with an intuitive method for acquiring surgical skills. The technical structure of the model is comprised of software that allows navigation and visualization of anatomical models based on computed tomography (CT) studies of a clinical case in association with virtual references projected onto the 3D printed patient model.