Video-assisted thoracoscopy treats congenital cystic lung malformations while preserving healthy tissue, but surgeons often need deeper patient-specific insights. Researchers in China used 3D VR models created from patient data to improve recognition and spatial understanding of complex anatomy.
Yang W, Xu Y, Wang Z, Ye M, Chen R, Da M, Qi J (2025) Virtual reality-assisted preoperative planning for pediatric thoracoscopic segmentectomy: a retrospective study. BMC Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-06259-3
Thoracoscopy is a tissue-sparing alternative to thoracotomy, offering less blood loss, faster recovery, and better preservation of healthy lung tissue. However, the procedure is technically demanding and requires strong spatial understanding, which conventional 2D or static 3D imaging often cannot provide.
Interactive 3D VR models turn standard scans into dynamic visualizations, improving anatomical insight and enabling more accurate and personalized surgical planning.After model reconstruction, the team jointly reviewed lesion positions and surrounding structures in VR. Two senior surgeons independently assessed anatomical accuracy, focusing on pulmonary arterial branching, vessel size, and venous pathways.
Thoracoscopic surgeries were then performed using VR-derived landmarks to guide sequential dissection of vessels and bronchi, with the value of VR for intraoperative navigation assessed throughout.
All 19 surgeries were completed thoracoscopically with no conversions. VR reconstructions provided better anatomical detail than conventional CT, with two independent assessors confirming clearer visualization of bronchial branches and pulmonary vessels.
VR allowed surgeons to assess lesion boundaries more accurately, plan extended resections when needed, and rehearse complex dissections, reducing the risk of vascular injury. This improved precision planning in combined segmentectomies.
Advantages of spatial imaging Conventional CT forces surgeons to mentally translate 2D images into 3D anatomy. VR overcomes this by offering immersive, interactive models that show true spatial relationships and allow simulation of surgical paths. It improves planning, preparedness, and team collaboration through shared visualization.
Medical Imaging XR enables clinicians to visualize, assess, and collaborate within an immersive, spatial environment. It allows real-time interaction with patient-specific 3D models, enhancing anatomical understanding, improving diagnostic accuracy, and supporting more precise surgical planning.
Medicalholodeck integrates with secure hospital systems, offering PACS access, HIPAA-compliant data handling, and full patient security. It works on VR headsets, PCs, iPads, and iPhones for flexible use in hospitals, classrooms, and training centers.Specialized features for surgical planning are exclusive to Medical Imaging XR PRO FDA.Currently, Medicalholodeck is available only for educational use. The platform is undergoing FDA and CE certification, and we expect Medical Imaging XR PRO to be available soon in the U.S. and EU markets.