Smartphone-assisted augmented reality technology for preoperative planning in spine surgery

Objective. To present a virtual three-dimensional model of pathologically altered segments of the patient’s spine and to analyze the results of its application when planning a surgical intervention in the smartphone-assisted augmented reality.Material and Methods. A three-dimensional modeling of the target area of the intended surgical site was performed based on computed tomography data of five patients with various spinal deformities. A smartphone application has been developed that allows displaying a three-dimensional object of the intended surgical site in the form of augmented reality.Results. The created virtual three-dimensional models were successfully used in five cases for preoperative planning and simulation training before surgery, which allowed to see in detail the anatomical features of the spine, the location of vascular structures when contrasting them, and to plan the direction of the screws. The potential of using augmented reality in clinical practice was demonstrated.Conclusion. The advantages of the smartphone-assisted augmented reality technology for preoperative planning in spine surgery are the simplicity of creating a computer model, the possibility for a surgeon to use a three-dimensional model for orientation in complex anatomical zone at any time of surgery, and the reduction in the risk of technical errors.