Exploring Virtual Reality Surgical Planning Applications in Paediatric Orthopaedics: A Preliminary Case Study

The incorporation of immersive technologies such as virtual reality into medical settings, particularly in the context of preoperative planning, has the potential to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of surgical procedures. This preliminary study aims to develop an application specifically focused on the surgical intervention of tibial osteotomy. More precisely, this research integrates virtual reality to enhance preoperative planning, affording surgeons direct interaction with patient anatomical structures within a virtual environment, thereby facilitating precise decision-making. The manipulation of virtual three-dimensional reconstructions derived from medical imaging modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is achievable through the integration of advanced modelling software and a virtual environment mimicking the operation room. This enables user navigation, object interaction, and outcome preservation. The study provides a detailed account of the design and implementation of a virtual reality application to simulate the surgical planning phase. This enables surgeons to visualise and execute the procedure intuitively. Despite promising progress toward virtual planning, further enhancements are necessary to fully supplant conventional methods. This includes the emulation of soft tissue interactions and the refinement of graft design processes within the virtual environment. Notwithstanding these challenges, this investigation demonstrates the potential of virtual reality to revolutionise preoperative planning paradigms, heralding a new era of immersive and efficacious surgical practices.