Currently submitted to: JMIR Serious Games
Date Submitted: Apr 14, 2026
Open Peer Review Period: Apr 15, 2026 - Jun 10, 2026
(currently open for review)
Warning: This is an author submission that is not peer-reviewed or edited. Preprints - unless they show as "accepted" - should not be relied on to guide clinical practice or health-related behavior and should not be reported in news media as established information.
Immersive Virtual and 3D Technologies for Pediatric Brain Tumor Surgery: a PRISMA Systematic Review of Emerging Tools in Digital Neurosurgery
ABSTRACT
Background:
Virtual reality (VR) and three-dimensional (3D) visualization technologies are increasingly recognized as valuable tools in surgical fields, especially where spatial understanding is critical. In pediatric neuro-oncology, these tools may address specific challenges related to anatomical complexity, child-specific anatomy and the need for precision in tumor resection.
Objective:
To evaluate the use of VR, 3D and immersive visualization technologies in pediatric brain tumor surgery, focusing on their role in surgical planning and clinical relevance.
Methods:
A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines and registered with PROSPERO (CRD420261279242). Literature searches were performed across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science up to October 25, 2025. Studies were included if they reported original clinical or translational data on the use of VR, 3D, or immersive visualization technologies in pediatric brain tumor surgery or planning.
Results:
Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. VR/3D tools were mainly used for preoperative planning in high-complexity tumor cases. Reported benefits included improved spatial understanding in 86% of studies, increased planning confidence in 57%, and strong educational value in 86%. However, no study reported objective outcome measures or long-term patient data. Implementation was heterogeneous, with substantial variability in platforms and workflows.
Conclusions:
VR and 3D technologies show promise in improving planning and spatial understanding in pediatric neuro-oncology. However, evidence is limited by heterogeneity and lack of objective and long-term outcome data, highlighting the need for standardized and robust studies.
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