Virtual Reality in Neurosurgery: Beyond Neurosurgical Planning

Rakesh Mishra, M.D. Krishna Narayanan, Giuseppe E. Umana, Nicola Montemurro, Bipin Chaurasia and Harsh Deora
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Rakesh Mishra: Department of Neurosurgery, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
M.D. Krishna Narayanan: Department of Neurosurgery, Yenepoya Medical College, Mangalore 574142, India
Giuseppe E. Umana: Trauma and Gamma-Knife Center, Department of Neurosurgery, Cannizzaro Hospital, 95100 Catania, Italy
Nicola Montemurro: Department of Neurosurgery, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Pisana (AOUP), University of Pisa, 56100 Pisa, Italy
Bipin Chaurasia: Department of Neurosurgery, Bhawani Hospital, Birgunj 44300, Nepal
Harsh Deora: Department of Neurosurgery, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bengaluru 560029, India

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Background: While several publications have focused on the intuitive role of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in neurosurgical planning, the aim of this review was to explore other avenues, where these technologies have significant utility and applicability. Methods: This review was conducted by searching PubMed, PubMed Central, Google Scholar, the Scopus database, the Web of Science Core Collection database, and the SciELO citation index, from 1989–2021. An example of a search strategy used in PubMed Central is: “Virtual reality” [All Fields] AND (“neurosurgical procedures” [MeSH Terms] OR (“neurosurgical” [All Fields] AND “procedures” [All Fields]) OR “neurosurgical procedures” [All Fields] OR “neurosurgery” [All Fields] OR “neurosurgery” [MeSH Terms]). Using this search strategy, we identified 487 (PubMed), 1097 (PubMed Central), and 275 citations (Web of Science Core Collection database). Results: Articles were found and reviewed showing numerous applications of VR/AR in neurosurgery. These applications included their utility as a supplement and augment for neuronavigation in the fields of diagnosis for complex vascular interventions, spine deformity correction, resident training, procedural practice, pain management, and rehabilitation of neurosurgical patients. These technologies have also shown promise in other area of neurosurgery, such as consent taking, training of ancillary personnel, and improving patient comfort during procedures, as well as a tool for training neurosurgeons in other advancements in the field, such as robotic neurosurgery. Conclusions: We present the first review of the immense possibilities of VR in neurosurgery, beyond merely planning for surgical procedures. The importance of VR and AR, especially in “social distancing” in neurosurgery training, for economically disadvantaged sections, for prevention of medicolegal claims and in pain management and rehabilitation, is promising and warrants further research.

Keywords: augmented reality; virtual reality; mixed reality; neurosurgery; brain tumor; robotic neurosurgery; training; neuronavigation; computed tomography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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