Recent Development of Augmented Reality(AR) in Surgery

The development of AugmentedReality(AR) devices allow physicians to incorporate data visualization into diagnostic and treatment procedures to improve work efficiency, safety, and cost to enhance the surgical training. The Augmented Reality(AR) system provides the surgeon with computer processed information or data in real-time through dedicated hardware and software. The projection of Augmented Reality is made  by using displays, projectors, cameras, trackers, or other specialized equipments. The main advantage of Augmented Reality is that the surgeon is not forced to look away from the surgical site as opposed to common visualization techniques.

 

     AugmentedReality(AR) proved to be an effective tool for training and skill assessment of surgery residents, other medical staff, or students . Specialized training simulators can be created and used to improve surgeon's skills in various scenarios, as well as to objectively measure their technical skills. This is very beneficial for trainees and students in developing intuition and proper decision-making abilities, which can otherwise be only gained through long clinical practice. It allows simulation of very unlikely scenarios, which can be solved with the assistance of an experienced surgeon. Compared to virtual reality (VR) simulators, where the whole simulation takes part in a CG environment, the main advantage of Augmented Reality(AR) simulators is the ability to combine real life objects with CG images, resulting in satisfactory feedback as opposed to Virtual Reality. AR has also been reported to increase the  basic surgical training . Augmented Reality(AR) enables experienced surgeons to remotely assist residents by using Internet connection and therefore opens the way of excellent distant teaching.

 

     Augmented Reality(AR) is a powerful tool possibly capable of revolutionising the field of surgery through a rational use.The present literature suggest an increasing interest of surgeons regarding employing augmented reality into surgery leading to improved safety and efficacy of surgical procedures. 

 In the future, Augmented Reality(AR)will likely serve as an advanced human-computer interface, working in symbiosis with surgeons, allowing them to achieve even better results.