Minimally invasive approaches using virtual reality planning in elective aneurysm surgery

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Medical Imaging
• Surgical Technology

Background:

• Microsurgical clipping remains a key treatment for unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs).
• Virtual reality (VR) offers advanced 3D anatomical modeling for surgical planning.
• VR integration aims to improve patient outcomes in neurosurgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of VR-based surgical planning on craniotomy size and approach type for UIA clipping.
• To assess the effectiveness of VR as an adjunct in microsurgical UIA treatment.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing elective microsurgical clipping for UIAs.
• Utilized SpectoMedical® VR platform for pre-operative planning.
• Measured craniotomy size and hospital stay; analyzed operative time.

Main Results:

• VR-based planning led to significantly smaller craniotomy sizes (13.22 cm² vs. 20.31 cm²).
• Patients in the VR group experienced shorter hospital stays (7.89 days vs. 10.04 days).
• Multivariable analysis confirmed VR planning reduced craniotomy size by 6.2 cm².

Conclusions:

• VR-based surgical planning is associated with reduced craniotomy size and shorter hospital stays for UIAs.
• VR enhances microsurgical clipping by providing an intraoperative déjà-vu effect, improving surgical precision.
• VR is a valuable adjunct for pre-operative planning in UIA treatment.