Virtual Reality in Neurosurgery: Advancing Training, Education, and Surgical Planning

Virtual reality (VR) is transforming the vast field of neurosurgery by providing realistic and interactive simulations of intricate brain structures. A literature search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library using the keywords "virtual reality," "VR in neurosurgery," "skill development," "neurosurgical education," "patient outcome," "3D visualisation," "evolution in neurosurgery," and "simulators" was performed. The relevant articles, including RCTs, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews and narrative reviews, were considered from inception up to March 2025. This review of existing literature was conducted to explore the evolution, current applications, and future potential of VR in neurosurgery. Emerging in the early 1990s, it lacked accuracy and precision, but now in the 2020s, it provides exceptional benefits to the field. The findings highlight how VR has enhanced the neurosurgical field through various simulators, optimized strategies and planning and decision making, and improved surgical training. Students of neurosurgery can get trained through various 3D models, providing them with a realistic experience of surgical procedures. Moreover, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has further refined surgical decision-making, risk evaluation, and real-time adaptability. However, various challenges exist, making VR accessibility limited. High cost, lack of numerous skilled operators, user discomfort, and no proper ethical protocols are critical hindrances that need to be addressed. VR has evolved into a crucial tool for neurosurgical innovation, although ongoing research needs to refine AI-driven models, expand accessibility, and establish standardized protocols for easy adoption across diverse healthcare settings.