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Immersing Patients in a Virtual Reality Environment for Brain Mapping During Awake Surgery: Safety Study.
Matthieu Delion1, Evelyne Klinger2, Florian Bernard1
1Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Angers, Angers, France.
World Neurosurgery
|November 18, 2019
Summary
This study demonstrates that virtual reality headsets (VRH) are safe and well-tolerated for awake brain surgery patients, enabling novel cognitive function mapping during craniotomy.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Medical Technology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Direct electrical stimulation for brain mapping during awake craniotomy is a standard procedure to minimize neurological deficits.
- Virtual reality technology offers innovative applications for perioperative mapping of complex cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the tolerance and safety of virtual reality headsets (VRH) and immersive virtual experiences in patients undergoing awake craniotomy and direct electrical brain mapping.
Main Methods:
- 30 patients with brain tumors near language areas participated.
- Language mapping utilized a naming task (DO 80) presented via tablet and VRH (2D/3D formats).
- Patients experienced different VR scenarios during wound closure.
Main Results:
- Two patients experienced technical issues with the VRH; no procedures were aborted.
- No patients reported virtual reality sickness, and all would repeat the procedure.
- Intraoperative seizures occurred but were not attributed to VRH use.
Conclusions:
- Immersing patients in virtual environments during awake brain surgery is feasible.
- This technology opens avenues for new brain mapping procedures for complex cognitive functions.
