Extended Reality in Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery: A State-of-the-Art Review

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (OHNS)
• Extended Reality (XR)
• Virtual Reality (VR)
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Mixed Reality (MR)

Background:

• Extended reality (XR) technologies, encompassing virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), are emerging tools in medicine.
• Their application in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (OHNS) is growing, particularly in educational and clinical settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a comprehensive literature review on the current applications of XR in OHNS.
• To synthesize findings on the use of VR, AR, and MR in surgical education, clinical practice, and patient rehabilitation within the specialty.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was performed across major databases: MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus.
• Eligible studies were identified and synthesized into a narrative review following PRISMA guidelines.

Main Results:

• XR in OHNS is predominantly used for surgical simulation and education, showing benefits in learner engagement and skill acquisition.
• Other applications include preoperative planning, intraoperative guidance, pain management, and rehabilitation for vestibular and voice disorders.
• Current literature is concentrated in specific subspecialties and largely consists of feasibility studies, with limited clinical integration.

Conclusions:

• XR technologies offer significant potential to advance OHNS clinical care, patient education, and surgical training.
• Future directions include exploring XR for remote patient monitoring, mental health, and telemedicine applications.
• Overcoming barriers like cost, accessibility, and standardization is crucial for widespread adoption of XR in OHNS.