JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Approximately five billion people worldwide lack adequate access to surgical care, mainly in the Global South. Especially in crisis regions and war zones, telemedical applications may enhance health services. This study explores the feasibility of using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enhanced 3D imaging and Extended Reality (XR) technologies for intercontinental surgical case conferences in a low-resource scenario in Uganda. Our pilot study aims to assess the value of these technologies to address the lack of surgical resources and multilateral knowledge exchange.

Objective:

This study intends to determine the feasibility of utilizing new AI-enhanced image modelling technology within an immersive spatial XR scenario to collaboratively and remotely assess reconstructive patient cases in the low-resource country of Uganda.

Methods:

Within a surgical camp at Lamu Medical Centre, Uganda, 3D models of patients’ conditions were created using a smartphone application. Digital models were generated from photographs taken on-site and processed into 3D formats to be visualized in virtual case conferences. Here, surgeons from Uganda and Germany utilized VR headsets to collaboratively discuss case strategies while marking surgical approaches on each digital patient model.

Results:

The study included 15 patients requiring reconstructive surgery, with a diverse range of conditions. The use of XR technology facilitated detailed visualization and discussion of surgical strategies. The process was time-efficient, with a total of under eight minutes per case time for data acquisition, and model creation and resource-efficient with surgeons reporting sufficient quality of smartphone-derived models. Valuable user experience and precise interaction during the Virtual Reality (VR) case processing were found, underlining its potential to improve surgical planning and patient care in resource-limited settings.

Conclusions:

The findings indicate that AI-enhanced 3D imaging and immersive virtual communication platforms are valuable tools for integrative surgical case assessments. The cost-effectiveness of the utilized consumer solutions should be especially beneficial for low-resource environments. While the study demonstrates the feasibility of this approach, further research is needed to explore a broader application and impact of these technologies in global health. The study highlights the potential of XR to enhance training and surgical precision, contributing to better healthcare outcomes in underserved regions.