Current Applications and Limitations of Augmented Reality in Urological Surgery: A Practical Primer and 'State of the Field'.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To provide a primer for how augmented reality (AR)-guided surgical technology works at a fundamental level and discuss recent advances and limitations in a rapidly advancing field, including studies aiming to reduce current issues limiting wider adoption.

Recent findings: Among the studies published within the last five years, AR-guided technologies have advanced from pre-operative planning to intraoperative use in procedures including robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and renal transplantation. Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning techniques have allowed for development of automatic registration to address challenges with soft tissue deformation. Subspecialities which may benefit from further AR/MR adoption include reconstructive and andrology, which were underrepresented in our review. Augmented reality refers to the process of superimposing digital information (e.g., preoperative imaging) on top of the physical world. Along with its interactive counterpart, mixed reality (MR), AR has become an area of sustained research interest in the urological surgery space. This technology has significant implications for surgical accuracy, efficiency, and medical education. As a result, it is critical for clinicians to both be aware of advancements in the field and understand the basics of this technology. We discuss articles published from March 2021 to February 2025, across a range of urologic procedures and applications, and discuss how recent trends point to a shift towards higher-powered, prospective studies incorporating intraoperative usage of AR/MR.