Abstract:

The importance of medical imaging cannot be understated. It plays an important role not only as a diagnostic tool but also a therapeutic and interventional aid. Advances in imaging and medical visualization systems, particularly in the Extended Reality (XR, includes Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality) space, have also revolutionized physician-patient communication as well as medical education and resident training. If selected, Dr. Louis would present current problems with traditional imaging systems and describe how advanced medical visualization systems can solve them. 

Problems:

1. Traditional systems force surgeons to visualize images through radiologist’s point-of-view.
2. With traditional systems, it is not possible to simulate an operation on a specific patient prior to surgery.
3. Patients do not understand traditional 2D DICOM images.
4. Residents have fewer opportunities for hands-on training. Surgical training involves a combination of “live” practice on actual patients and cadaver-based dissection workshops. With increasing oversight and restriction of hours, surgical residents are graduating with less hands-on experience. This translates to higher risk for new surgeons entering practice. While skills can be supplemented with cadaver-based courses, this option has several limitations.
5. Traditional surgical navigation requires the surgeon to divert their attention from the operative field. 

Advanced medical visualization systems allow surgeons to:

• View images from the surgeon’s perspective and create a plan.
• Simulate/rehearse plan and make necessary updates/corrections prior to surgery.
• Teach residents 3D anatomy and surgical spatial awareness.
• Explain surgical plan to patients in a more understandable format.
• Decrease medicolegal risk through more thorough informed consent process.
• Improve patient retention and loyalty, resulting in program growth.
• Enhance intraoperative visualization of anatomy and pathology while allowing surgeon to maintain attention without interrupting workflow.

The end result is that both surgeons and patients are better prepared to ensure the operation is performed safely with ultimately improved outcomes.

Learning Objectives:

1. To illustrate how XR can be used across the surgical treatment continuum from patient education, surgical planning , and intraoperative visualization.
2. To demonstrate the proven value proposition of Extended Reality in helping deliver better patient care and improved healthcare training.
3. To discuss current problems with traditional imaging systems and how Extended Reality can solve them.