Enhancing liver surgery and transplantation: the role of 3D printing and virtual reality

Abstract

This review explores the significant advancements in liver surgery and transplantation, particularly focusing on the integration of 3D printing and virtual reality (VR) technologies. The core objective is to enhance preoperative planning, simulation, and intraoperative navigation. The review discusses several studies that underscore the accuracy and utility of 3D printed models derived from medical imaging, which are instrumental in identifying small liver lesions, improving surgical education, and facilitating patient comprehension. Additionally, the role of VR in surgical simulation is examined, highlighting its superiority in tumor identification and its potential in training systems. While clinical outcomes data suggest a need for further randomized trials to establish the impact on surgical efficiency and recovery, the review also touches upon the promising future of augmented reality (AR) for intraoperative guidance and liver segment identification, with prospects of artificial intelligence (AI) integration. The conclusion underscores the importance of continued clinical evidence and technological advancements for wider adoption in liver surgery and transplantation.