Neurospine.  2021 Mar;18(1):199-205. 10.14245/ns.2040574.287.

Virtual Reality in Preoperative Planning of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Surgery Using Google Cardboard

• Salvatore SD
• Vadalà G
• Oggiano L
• Russo F
• Ambrosio L
• Costici PF

• KMID: 2514304
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14245/ns.2040574.287

Abstract

Objective
Preoperative planning in spine surgery is a fundamental step of the surgical workup and is often assisted by direct visualization of anatomical 2-dimensional images. This process is time-consuming and may excessively approximate the 3-dimensional (3D) nature of spinal anatomy. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology capable of reconstructing an interactive 3D anatomical model that can be freely explored and manipulated.
Methods
Sixty patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis underwent correction of the scoliotic curve by posterior arthrodesis after preoperative planning using traditional on-screen visualization of computed tomography scans (control group, n = 30) or exploration of a 3D anatomical model in VR using Google Cardboard (Google Inc.) (VR group, n = 30). Mean operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, and surgeon’s satisfaction were assessed after surgery.
Results
The use of VR led to a significant decrease in operative time and bleeding while increasing the surgeon’s satisfaction compared to the control group.
Conclusion
Preoperative planning with VR turned out to be effective in terms of operative time and blood loss reduction. Moreover, such technology proved to be reproducible, costeffective, and more satisfactory compared to conventional planning.

Keyword

Virtual reality; Spine surgery; Scoliosis; Minimally invasive; Preoperative planning