Virtual reality ‘gaming’ used to plan delicate cancer surgeries

Ontario teenager Emeric Leblanc has become one of the first patients in Canada to undergo surgery for a rare bone cancer using a newly developed virtual reality (VR) system. The tech—modeled after video games—is designed by Ottawa-based startup Realize Medical, and it allows surgeons to navigate a simulation of a patient's body in a virtual space, in an effort to plan complex surgeries.

According to coverage from CTV News, Leblanc was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, and previously underwent chemotherapy and radiation. It was then that the surgical team at the Ottawa Hospital Cancer Program used the VR system to visualize and plan the removal of a 12-centimeter tumor engulfing much of his left hip bone.

Led by Dr. Joel Werier, the surgical team faced the challenge of removing the tumor while preserving enough pelvic bone to support Leblanc's hip joint. The VR system provided a three-dimensional view of the affected area, helping the surgeons make critical decisions. Medical teams are able to create 3D images from CT and MRI scans, providing a more immersive and detailed perspective for planning surgeries.

Realize Medical received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in January 2023 for deployment in the U.S. and their VR is now being used in 18 hospitals stateside for planning cancer surgeries and other delicate medical procedures.

Ongoing studies in Canada are exploring the broader applications of VR in planning surgeries for various medical conditions, including heart, lung, and transplant operations.

For more, read the full CTV News story at the link below.