Quenet Torrent Institute invests in augmented reality in live surgery

It is a technology that overlays digital information, such as 3D reconstructions from CT and MRI, on the real surgical field during the operation. The surgeon sees in real time where the tumour, blood vessels and lymph nodes are without losing direct sight of the operative field.

It is used in complex liver resections to identify segments, blood supply and resection limits; in retroperitoneal sarcoma surgery to locate major vessels safely; and in the preoperative planning of complex abdominal tumours that require a precise definition of the anatomy.

The advantages attributed to it are greater precision in oncological margins, less intraoperative bleeding thanks to precise identification of vessels, a lower risk of accidental vascular or visceral injury, and better planning that anticipates the technical difficulties of each case.

Patient-specific 3D models are built from the patient's preoperative imaging, such as CT or MRI. These models are integrated into the augmented reality system and projected onto the surgical field during the operation, aligned with the real anatomy.

Yes. It allows surgeons in training to practise with complex virtual cases, repeat difficult procedures with no risk to the patient and become familiar with uncommon anatomical scenarios. This immersive training shortens the learning curve and improves preparation before real operations.

Yes. Integrating augmented reality with robotic surgery platforms is an open line of development in surgical oncology. The robot's 3D view and the information overlaid by the augmented reality system complement each other to give greater precision in resections in anatomical areas that are hard to reach.

Intraoperative navigation is the use of real-time imaging systems to guide the surgeon during the operation. In oncology, it allows the resection to be guided by the exact position of the tumour and the vascular structures, reducing the margin of error in technically highly complex procedures.

Augmented reality is most useful in cases of high anatomical complexity, tumours close to major vessels, segmental liver resections and retroperitoneal sarcoma surgery. Our team decides in each case whether using this technology offers a relevant clinical benefit.

Active lines include developing patient-specific 3D models, integrating intraoperative fluorescence with augmented reality, training residents with virtual platforms and publishing clinical results in international oncology journals. This work aims to standardise the use of the technology in surgical oncology.

It is already used in clinical practice at some centres. Our team uses it in real surgery and in training, and takes part in international congresses and publications to move towards its standardisation. It is not experimental in the strict sense, but its use is not yet standardised.