Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 6, 2026
06:18
Pioneering Patient-Specific Approaches for Precision Surgery Using Imaging and Virtual Reality
Published on: April 5, 2024
Preoperative visualisation tools for surgical effects in shared decision-making: A scoping review.
Theresa Mann1, Maaike Eken2, Shima Gholinezhad3
1Institute of Orthopaedics and Rheumatology, Mediclinic Winelands Orthopaedic Hospital, Stellenbosch, South Africa; Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.
Patient Education and Counseling
|June 4, 2026
Summary
Patient-facing visualization tools enhance understanding of surgical outcomes and shared decision-making. Evidence is limited, primarily in breast surgery, highlighting a need for broader application and validation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Surgical Education
- Patient Communication
Background:
- Preoperative visualization tools can improve patient education and shared decision-making by illustrating anticipated surgical outcomes.
- Understanding potential postoperative changes is crucial for informed patient consent and decision-making.
Conclusions:
- Current evidence on patient-facing visualization tools for surgical shared decision-making is scarce and predominantly focused on breast surgery.
- Further development and validation of accessible visualization tools are needed across diverse surgical specialties to assess their impact on patient comprehension, expectations, communication, and confidence.
