Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Spine Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

Brendan F Judy; Arjun Menta; Ho Lim Pak; Tej D Azad; Timothy F Witham

doi:10.1016/j.nec.2023.11.010

Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality in Spine Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

Neurosurg Clin N Am. 2024 Apr;35(2):207-216. doi: 10.1016/j.nec.2023.11.010. Epub 2023 Dec 22.

Authors

Brendan F Judy¹, Arjun Menta², Ho Lim Pak², Tej D Azad², Timothy F Witham³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, 6007 Zayed Tower, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: bjudy1@jhmi.edu.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, 6007 Zayed Tower, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
³ Department of Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 1800 Orleans Street, 6007 Zayed Tower, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA. Electronic address: twitham2@jhmi.edu.

PMID: 38423736
DOI: 10.1016/j.nec.2023.11.010

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are powerful technologies with proven utility and tremendous potential. Spine surgery, in particular, may benefit from these developing technologies for resident training, preoperative education for patients, surgical planning and execution, and patient rehabilitation. In this review, the history, current applications, challenges, and future of AR/VR in spine surgery are examined.

Keywords: Augmented reality; Navigation; Residency training; Spine surgery; Virtual reality.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Augmented Reality*
Humans
Preoperative Care
Surgery, Computer-Assisted*
Virtual Reality*