[Augmented and virtual reality in surgery: fields of application and exploratory studies exemplified by VIVATOP : Perioperative surgical planning and intraoperative support].

Abstract

Digital technologies, such as virtual and augmented reality (VR and AR) are mainly used in the preclinical and clinical phases in neurosurgery and orthopedics. In contrast, they are used less frequently in visceral surgery as the intraoperative deformation is challenging for the clinical use. The application of VR is used successfully particularly in education and training. In addition to current areas of application, this article highlights the results of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) project "Versatile Immersive Virtual and Augmented Tangible OP (= surgery)" (VIVATOP). In this project AR and VR technologies in combination with 3D printing as demonstrators were newly or further developed. A VR planning tool for partial liver resection, the development of 3D holograms for intraoperative AR support and an avatar telemedicine function as well as a 3D printed model for training purposes were developed. The clinical results of the intraoperative AR support with the primary endpoint of operation duration and the secondary endpoints of the duration of hospitalization and intensive care unit stay as well as complication rates are compared with a historical cohort and the results are contextualized.