Technological Advancements in Augmented, Mixed, and Virtual Reality Technologies for Surgery: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Medical Technology
• Computer Science
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Artificial intelligence (AI) has potential in medicine, but many applications remain in research.
• Extended reality (XR), encompassing AR, MR, and VR, is emerging for surgical applications.
• A review of XR advancements from 2019-2024 is needed to bridge the research-to-clinical gap.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively review advancements in AR, MR, and VR for surgical applications (2019-2024).
• To explore proposed databases for XR in surgery.
• To summarize XR research applications, challenges, and solutions in surgical practices.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of scientific papers and research from 2019 to 2024.
• Analysis of current trends in XR for surgical navigation, training, and visualization.
• Comparative assessment of AR, MR, and VR capabilities in surgical contexts.

Main Results:

• XR trends focus on reducing workload and surgical errors via navigation, training, and machine learning-based visualization.
• AR and MR show greater advantages for intraoperative surgical functions.
• VR is primarily limited to preoperative training and surgical preparation, with declining research interest.

Conclusions:

• XR technologies, particularly AR and MR, are poised to increase accuracy and precision in surgery.
• Overcoming the 'black box' problem and increasing technology access are key for broader XR adoption.
• XR applications in medicine and surgery will expand, reducing risks and improving patient outcomes.