Augmented and virtual reality in spine surgery, current applications and future potentials | JoVE Visualize

Augmented and virtual reality in spine surgery, current applications and future potentials

Hamid Ghaednia¹, Mitchell S Fourman¹, Amanda Lans²

¹Spine Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Orthopaedic Oncology Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.

The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society|March 28, 2021

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Augmented (AR) and virtual reality (VR) show promise in spine surgery, offering benefits in navigation and training. While current applications are limited, AR and VR are expected to become standard tools in the field.

Area of Science:

* Medical Technology
* Surgical Innovation
* Digital Health

Background:

* Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL) are driving innovation in healthcare technologies.
* Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are emerging as valuable tools in medicine, with significant potential in spine surgery.
* AR/VR devices offer advantages like low cost, integration flexibility, user-friendliness, and application in navigation systems for spine surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

* To inform spine surgeons and researchers about the current applications of AR and VR in spine surgery.
* To explore the future potential and accessibility of AR and VR systems within the field of spine surgery.
* To provide a comprehensive overview of AR and VR technologies relevant to orthopedic surgery.

Main Methods:

* A systematic review of over 250 journal papers identified through Google Scholar and PubMed using keywords: augmented reality, virtual reality, spine surgery, and orthopaedic.
* 89 related papers were selected for abstract review, followed by a full-text analysis of 67 papers.
* Papers were categorized into technological advancements, surgical applications, education/training, and general orthopedic applications, with thorough web searches ensuring up-to-date information.

Main Results:

* The review discusses the current state-of-the-art AR and VR hardware.
* Preoperative and intraoperative applications of AR and VR in spine surgery are detailed.
* Future potentials, including integration with AI, robotic surgery, gaming, and wearables, are explored.

Conclusions:

* Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are identified as promising technologies for spine surgery.
* These immersive technologies are anticipated to become integral components of standard spine surgical care.
* The integration of AR and VR is poised to enhance various aspects of spine surgery, from planning to execution.