JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Virtual and augmented reality technology represents a combination of current state-of-the-art computer and imaging technologies, and has the potential to be a disruptive technology in many surgical fields. An increasing number of investigators have developed and applied current computer-assisted surgery and training to hip-related surgery with the aim of using this technology to reduce hip surgery-related complications, improve success rates, and reduce surgical risks. Virtual and augmented reality techniques have been shown to improve surgical outcomes by providing feedback on the anatomical features and spatial location of the hip.

Objective:

To review the use of virtual and augmented reality technology in hip-related surgery and to summarize its benefits in related procedures, we discuss and briefly describe the applicability, advantages, limitations, and future developments of various simulators using virtual and augmented reality in hip-related surgery.

Methods:

We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases by using the following key search terms: “virtual and augmented reality technology and hip surgery” and “total hip replacement” OR “THR” and “hip trauma and fracture”.

Results:

Using the above keywords, we retrieved more than 170 relevant papers published between 1997 and 2021. After assessing their eligibility, we found 8 studies of simulators for selective total hip replacement and surface reconstruction that used virtual and augmented reality technology. All 8 studies comparatively evaluated simulators for elective total or surface replacement and hip trauma and fracture fixation that adopted virtual and augmented reality technology, and 5 studies validated the types of simulators and means of demonstration in relation to those that adopted virtual and augmented reality technology.

Conclusions:

Virtual and augmented reality technology is an improvement over conventional computer-assisted surgical approaches, and holds great promise for orthopedic surgery, both for clinical practice and surgical training. This technology employs useful information to broaden the surgeon’s view, provides the surgeon with precise images of the patient’s anatomy, enables the visualization of the patient’s surgical data in real time, enhances preoperative planning, improves the accuracy and precision of interventions, and improves treatment quality and patient outcomes.