Virtual reality for orthognathic surgery: the augmented reality environment concept.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to apply virtual reality technology to osteotomies of the facial skeleton.


METHODS
Augmented reality can be considered a hybrid of virtual and real environment spaces, which are coregistered and simultaneously visualized. Using a see-through HMD (head-mounted display) and Interventional Video Tomography intraoperatively, partial visual immersion into a patient-related virtual data space augments the surgeon's perception as shown in an experimental study and clinical applications.


RESULTS
Without limiting the surgical judgment, offering continuous observation of the operating field, the presented technology additionally provides visual access to invisible data of anatomy, physiology, and function and thus guarantees unencumbered and fluent surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite current shortcomings, augmented reality technology proved to be particularly well suited for use in osteotomies of the facial skeleton.
Wagner
A
A
Clinic of Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Vienna, Austria.
Rasse
M
M
Millesi
W
W
Ewers
R
R
D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D003196:Computer Graphics; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005147:Facial Bones / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D019340:Osteotomy, Le Fort / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010780:Photogrammetry; D014741:Video Recording