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Intraoperative support using mixed reality holograms for hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection
Naofumi Miyahara1,2, Masafumi Hiratsuka3,4, Yusuke Okamoto1
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University, Nabeshima 5-1-1, Saga, Saga, 849-0937, Japan.
Surgical Endoscopy
|February 11, 2025
Summary
Mixed reality (MR) holograms enhance surgical understanding of thoracic anatomy during hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (HMLND). This technology offers a safer, more precise approach to lymph node dissection in lung cancer surgery.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Medical Imaging
- Mixed Reality Technology
Background:
- Accurate lymph node (LN) dissection is critical for lung cancer surgical management.
- Limited studies address challenges in precise anatomical LN dissection.
- This study investigates mixed reality (MR) holograms for intraoperative support in hilar and mediastinal lymph node dissection (HMLND).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the utility and safety of MR holograms as an intraoperative tool for HMLND.
- To assess the impact of intraoperative hologram support (IHS) on surgical understanding and precision.
Main Methods:
- Three-dimensional (3D) holograms of the thoracic cavity were generated from medical images.
- Holograms were displayed via head-mounted displays (HoloLens2) during HMLND in 10 patients.
- Safety was assessed, and surgeon utility was evaluated via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Intraoperative hologram support (IHS) was used for a median of 5 minutes.
- No 90-day postoperative complications were observed.
- Surgeons confirmed accurate anatomical representation and greater intraoperative benefit compared to preoperative planning, especially for specific lymph node stations.
Conclusions:
- IHS enhances surgical understanding of thoracic anatomy during HMLND.
- MR holograms have the potential to improve the precision and reliability of lymph node dissection in lung cancer surgery.
