Extended Reality (XR) - Applications in Thoracic Surgery

Extended reality (XR) includes the sub-terms of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) and describes interactive and immersive technologies that replace the real world with digital elements or seamlessly extend it with such approaches. XR thus offers a very wide range of possible applications in medicine. In surgery, and thoracic surgery in particular, XR technologies can be harnessed for treatment planning, navigation, training, and patient information. Such applications are increasingly being tested and need to be evaluated. We provide an overview of the status quo of technical development, current surgical applications of XR, and look into the future of the medical XR landscape with integration of artificial intelligence (AI).

Automated summary

Extended reality (XR), including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), refers to interactive and immersive technologies that replace or extend the real world with digital elements. XR has a wide range of applications in medicine, particularly in surgery and thoracic surgery, for treatment planning, navigation, training, and patient information. The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) is also explored for the future of medical XR landscape.