UAB Department of Neurosurgery Assistant Professor Jakub Godzik, M.D., MS, Professor James Johnston, M.D., MPH, and PGY-5 Neurosurgery Resident Nicholas Laskay, M.D., are among the authors of a recent paper published in World Journal of Surgery titled “Optimizing Surgical Performance Using Preoperative Virtual Reality Planning: A Systematic Review.”
 
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in achieving optimal operational efficiency during surgery. The utilization of VR in medicine offers an opportunity to enhance preoperative planning and communication across various surgical specialties. By employing VR technology, complex surgical procedures can be rehearsed and precise steps can be effectively communicated to the surgical team before stepping into the operating room.  
 
By examining existing research on VR use for preoperative planning and interdisciplinary communication to optimize surgical efficiency, this study concluded that time spent rehearsing and visualizing patient-specific anatomical relationships using VR would likely improve efficiency and communication inside the operating room.
 
Learn more about how Godzik and the Department of Neurosurgery are using VR to improve patient care and resident training.