Abstract
PurposeThree-dimensional (3D) surgical planning is widely accepted in liver surgery. Currently, the 3D reconstructions are usually presented as 3D PDF data on regular monitors. 3D-printed liver models are sometimes used for education and planning.MethodsWe developed an immersive virtual reality (VR) application that enables the presentation of preoperative 3D models. The 3D reconstructions are exported as STL files and easily imported into the application, which creates the virtual model automatically. The presentation is possible in “OpenVR”-ready VR headsets. To interact with the 3D liver model, VR controllers are used. Scaling is possible, as well as changing the opacity from invisible over transparent to fully opaque. In addition, the surgeon can draw potential resection lines on the surface of the liver. All these functions can be used in a single or multi-user mode.ResultsFive highly experienced HPB surgeons of our department evaluated the VR application after using it for the very first time and considered it helpful according to the “System Usability Scale” (SUS) with a score of 76.6%. Especially with the subitem “necessary learning effort,” it was shown that the application is easy to use.ConclusionWe introduce an immersive, interactive presentation of medical volume data for preoperative 3D liver surgery planning. The application is easy to use and may have advantages over 3D PDF and 3D print in preoperative liver surgery planning. Prospective trials are needed to evaluate the optimal presentation mode of 3D liver models.
Highlights
In hepatobiliary surgery, three-dimensional (3D) models of the liver with its vascular structures are reported to be helpful in preoperative planning by suggesting a shorter operation time, a reduction of the resection scope, or the amount of bleeding [1,2,3]
These 3D reconstructions are mostly presented as 3D PDFs and only rarely as 3D-printed models
We have developed an immersive application that demonstrates 3D models in virtual reality using VR headsets and enables interaction with the model (Supplementary Video 1)
Summary
We developed an immersive virtual reality (VR) application that enables the presentation of preoperative 3D models. The 3D reconstructions are exported as STL files and imported into the application, which creates the virtual model automatically. The presentation is possible in “OpenVR”-ready VR headsets. To interact with the 3D liver model, VR controllers are used. As well as changing the opacity from invisible over transparent to fully opaque. The surgeon can draw potential resection lines on the surface of the liver. All these functions can be used in a single or multi-user mode
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