Using immersive VR as a tool for preoperative planning for minimally invasive donor nephrectomy

For surgeons approaching minimally invasive donor nephrectomy it is important to identify variant anatomy preoperatively since this anatomy can vary significantly from patient to patient. The goal of this operation is to preserve the architecture and function of the organ so it can be transplanted and function successfully. The ability of the surgeon to navigate through an individual patient's anatomy in a virtual three-dimensional (3D) immersive environment augments understanding of anatomical relationships particular to that individual patient and facilitates conveying that information to other physicians and students. Utilizing automated 3D reconstruction of high contrast computed tomography (CT) scan files viewed in this way, surgeons reported a better preoperative understanding of the anatomical variations and encountered fewer surprises at the time of surgery.