Augmented Reality-Assisted Pancreaticoduodenectomy with Superior Mesenteric Vein Resection and Reconstruction

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) with superior mesenteric vein (SMV) reconstruction are often required to achieve complete (R0) resection for pancreatic head cancer (PHC) with tumor invasion of the SMV. Augmented reality (AR) technology can be used to assist in determining the extent of SMV involvement by superimposing virtual 3-dimensional (3D) images of the pancreas and regional vasculature on the surgical field.

Three patients with PHC and tumor invasion of the SMV underwent AR-assisted PD with SMV resection and reconstruction following preoperative computed tomography scanning. Preoperative imaging data were used to reconstruct 3D images of anatomical structures, including the tumor, portal vein (PV), SMV, and splenic vein (SV). Using AR software installed on a smart phone, the reconstructed 3D images were superimposed on the surgical field as viewed in a smart phone display to provide intermittent navigational assistance to the surgeon in identifying the boundaries of PHC tumor invasion for resection of the vessels involved.

All patients successfully completed the operation. Intraoperative AR applications displayed virtual images of the pancreas, SMV, bile duct, common hepatic artery (CHA), and superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Two patients required end-to-end anastomosis for reconstruction of the SMV. One patient required allogenic vascular bypass to reconstruct the SMV-PV juncture with concomitant reconstruction of the SV-SMV confluence by end-to-side anastomosis of the SV and bypass vessel. Postoperative pathology confirmed R0 resections for all patients.

AR navigation technology based on preoperative CT image data can assist surgeons performing PD with SMV resection and reconstruction.