Objective To investigate application value and significance of mixed reality technology in surgical treatment and doctor-patient communication for vestibular schwannoma.
Methods We selected randomly 13 vestibular schwannoma patients treated with surgical treatment. After the three-dimensional models were constructed, preoperative surgical planning and doctor-patient communication were performed with mixed reality technology. Craniotomy through retrosigmoid sinus approach, tumor resection and facial nerve protection were achieved intraoperatively with the assistance of mixed reality technology. Questionnaires were collected and facial nerve function of 13 patients was recorded one week after operation.
Results Holographic model images of 13 cases were showed successfully using mixed reality technology. The locations of preoperative facial nerves reconstructed were completely consistent with actual locations in 10 cases (84.6%). After preoperative anatomic analysis, it was decided to remove partly the posterior wall of the internal auditory canal in 11 cases. The result of doctor-patient communication questionnaire showed that 13 patients and their family all had a thorough understanding of the condition, operative plan and risks, and expressed satisfaction with the preoperative conversation. With the assistance of mixed reality technology, the tumors were resected totally without injury of vein sinus in 13 cases. The facial nerve function was gradeⅠin 3 cases, gradeⅡin 6 cases, grade Ⅲ in 3 case and grade Ⅳ in 1 case based on House-Brackmann grading one week after surgery.
Conclusion Mixed reality technology is quite helpful in individual surgical planning and preoperative doctor-patient communication. It helps reduce the side injuries of surgery and protect the function of facial nerve as a surgical assistant tool intraoperatively.
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