A study found that augmented reality guidance with the system reduced blood loss in craniofacial surgery, with additional benefits including reduced sinus proximity bleeding and transfusion volumes.
Xironetic announced the publication of data from a recent study evaluating the potential benefits of augmented reality (AR) guidance with Xironetic’s IntraOpVSP system in patients undergoing craniofacial surgery.
The results of the study were published in FACE, founded by the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons and the American Society of Craniofacial Surgeons. IntraOpVSP is a US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared system for AR guidance that provides three-dimensional patient imaging data to the surgeon during surgery.
Study Methodology and Results
In a retrospective cohort study, the amount of blood loss was compared between patients who received AR guidance in their surgery (n = 17) and patients who did not (n = 62). Analysis of calculated blood loss data from these cohorts indicated that AR guidance provided statistically significant blood loss reduction as measured by estimated red cell volume (ERCV), with an ERCV of 43.7% for the cohort with AR guidance and an ERCV of 61.9% for the cohort without (p < 0.05).
Additional benefits reported in the study were reduced sinus proximity bleeding, reduced dural injuries, and reduced transfusion volumes.
“We are able to navigate around the multitude of blood vessels in the craniofacial area because we can visualize them more intuitively,” says Christian El-Amm, MD, chief of pediatric plastic surgery at Oklahoma Children’s Hospital, in a release. “Our patients suffered less blood loss, and there was a trend towards fewer blood units transfused and less donor exposure. Larger multicenter studies are now underway to confirm and explore potential benefits towards patient safety.”
The results from the study suggest that AR can increase surgical safety through reduced blood loss and sinus proximity bleeding during a craniotomy, promoting improved patient outcomes. Additional investigations are underway to confirm these results and further evaluate the benefits of AR guidance in craniofacial surgery.
Summary:
Xironetic announced new study findings demonstrating that its IntraOpVSP augmented reality (AR) system significantly reduces blood loss in craniofacial surgery. The retrospective cohort study, published in FACE, compared 17 patients who received AR-guided surgery to 62 who did not, showing a statistically significant reduction in estimated red cell volume (ERCV) loss—from 61.9% to 43.7% (p < 0.05). The study also reported less sinus proximity bleeding, fewer dural injuries, and reduced transfusion volumes in patients who underwent AR-assisted procedures. Researchers suggest that AR visualization allows surgeons to navigate complex vascular structures more intuitively, improving patient safety and outcomes. Larger multicenter studies are now underway to further evaluate these benefits.
Key Takeaways:
- AR Guidance Reduced Blood Loss – Patients who underwent AR-guided craniofacial surgery had a significant decrease in estimated red cell volume loss (61.9% to 43.7%).
- Additional Benefits Observed – The study reported less sinus proximity bleeding, fewer dural injuries, and reduced transfusion volumes in AR-assisted procedures.
- Further Research Underway – Larger multicenter studies are being conducted to confirm AR’s role in improving surgical safety and patient outcomes.
