Augmented reality visualization for craniosynostosis surgery

ABSTRACT

Current approaches for surgical correction of craniosynostosis are highly dependent on the experience of the surgeon and inaccuracies during cranial vault remodelling can compromise the surgical outcome. The objective of this study is the evaluation of a novel augmented reality system to guide surgeons during fronto-orbital advancement procedures. A smartphone software application was developed to overlay virtual models on the surgical field using augmented reality technology. Intraoperative markers and 3D photography are used to ensure accurate alignment between the virtual data and patient anatomy. The system was evaluated through simulations on patient-specific phantoms and the workflow was tested on two real surgeries. Results of this study demonstrate the accuracy of the AR visualisation to guide osteotomy and remodelling during fronto-orbital advancement. Feedback from 9 surgeons supports the integration of this technology on the surgical workflow for the treatment of craniosynostosis to accurately translate the virtual plan into the operating room.

KEYWORDS:

• Augmented reality
• visualisation
• computer-assisted surgery
• craniosynostosis

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the surgeons of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and Department of Neurosurgery at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón (Madrid, Spain) for their feedback and help in this study.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Supplementary materials

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

Supported by projects PI18/01625 (Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Instituto de Salud Carlos III and European Regional Development Fund ‘Una manera de hacer Europa’) and IND2018/TIC-9753 (Comunidad de Madrid).

Notes on contributors

David García-Mato

David García-Mato is a Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at the Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.

Rafael Moreta-Martínez

Rafael Moreta-Martínez is a Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at the Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.

Mónica García-Sevilla

Mónica García-Sevilla is a Ph.D. student in Biomedical Engineering at the Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.

Santiago Ochandiano

Santiago Ochandiano is chief of section in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain.

Roberto García-Leal

Roberto García-Leal is head of the Department of Neurosurgery at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain.

Rubén Pérez-Mañanes

Rubén Pérez-Mañanes is a surgeon in the Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain.

José A. Calvo-Haro

José A. Calvo-Haro is a surgeon in the Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain.

José I. Salmerón

José I. Salmerón is head of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón in Madrid, Spain.

Javier Pascau

Javier Pascau is a professor in the Department of Bioengineering and Aerospace Engineering from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain.