UCSF children’s hospital receives new VR for pediatric neurosurgery

According to a recent University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) release, UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland is the first hospital in the U.S. to receive the Precision Virtual Reality (VR) visualization platform for pediatric neurosurgery.   

The VR technology made by Surgical Theater will offer UCSF neurosurgeons perspective of patients' anatomy and pathology, specifically of their neurologic conditions highlighted in MRI or CT scans, according to the release. 

In addition, patients and families will also be able to utilize the technology to better understand neurological conditions and possible treatment plans while immersed in a 360-degree experience.  

“VR represents a giant leap forward in translating a rigidly 2D world into the volumetric 360-degree 3D surgical world. This tool is unique in the way that it allows me to take patients on a guided tour through their own anatomy, a virtual journey between their arteries, veins, looking over our shoulders at the tumor," said Kurtis Auguste, MD, chair of the department of surgery and UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland chief of neurosurgery, in a prepared statement. "I have witnessed personally how these tailor-made VR walk-throughs lead to an enhanced patient and family experience, ultimately alleviating their anxiety and improving their satisfaction.”