Realize Medical
Research Library · Independent literature review

Multi-specialty: Does VR surgical planning reduce operating time?

6 Multi-specialty studies in the library address this question.

Multi-specialty: Operating timeBar chart. Multi-specialty: Operating time. Retrospective studies 2, Reviews 3, Case reports & technical 1.RESEARCH LIBRARY · INDEPENDENT LITERATURE REVIEWMulti-specialty: Operating time6 studies in the library, by study designRetrospective studies2Reviews3Case reports & technical1Positive findingMixedDescriptiveNo significant differenceRealize Medical Research Library · 631 studies · updated 2026-10-03

Where time gains were reported

  • Positive finding
    “Mean preoperative planning time was reduced by 34% (-42 h; 95% CI: -48 to -36 h; p < 0.01) compared with historical controls.”

    Cebrián-Carretero 2026 · Retrospective cohort · n: 308 cases

  • Positive finding
    “Among the 16 studies assessing efficiency, 13 (81%) reported measurable reductions in time-related outcomes, including operative time, planning time, or fluoroscopy exposure.”

    Khubzan 2026 · Systematic review

  • Positive finding
    “However, the mean procedure time was statistically significantly shorter for the VR group compared to the CT and DSA group by an average reduction of 80 min.”

    Queisner 2024 · Systematic review

  • Positive finding
    “This review demonstrates that time spent rehearsing and visualizing patient-specific anatomical relationships in VR may improve operative efficiency and communication across multiple surgical specialties.”

    Laskay 2023 · Systematic review

How strong is the evidence?

Of 6 studies with a finding on this question: 5 report a positive finding, 1 no significant difference. These reflect what each study's authors report.

Study designs: 2 retrospective studies, 3 reviews and 1 case report, case series or technical report.

All 6 studies

B-onic Platform: A Single-Center Clinical Evaluation of an Integrated FabLab Workflow for Patient-Specific Surgical Planning and XR-Based Validation #

Cebrián-Carretero JL et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · 2026

Multi-specialty · Retrospective cohort · n: 308 cases

Positive finding
“Mean preoperative planning time was reduced by 34% (-42 h; 95% CI: -48 to -36 h; p < 0.01) compared with historical controls.”

34%

DOIPubMedFree full text

An attempt to evaluate the use of mixed reality in surgically treated pediatric oncology patients #

Bronowicki K et al. · NPJ digital medicine · 2025

Multi-specialty · Retrospective cohort · n: 9 patients

No significant difference
“Although a slight increase in procedure time was observed in a few cases, MR did not significantly prolong SP or H.”

DOIPubMedFree full text

The digital evolution of surgical planning: a systematic review of immersive and interactive technologies #

Khubzan WD et al. · Frontiers in surgery · 2026

Multi-specialty · Systematic review

Positive finding
“Among the 16 studies assessing efficiency, 13 (81%) reported measurable reductions in time-related outcomes, including operative time, planning time, or fluoroscopy exposure.”

13 of 16 studies (81%)

DOIPubMedFree full text

Surgical planning in virtual reality: a systematic review #

Queisner M, Eisenträger K · Journal of medical imaging (Bellingham, Wash.) · 2024

Multi-specialty · Systematic review

Positive finding
“However, the mean procedure time was statistically significantly shorter for the VR group compared to the CT and DSA group by an average reduction of 80 min.”

80 min

DOIPubMedFree full text

Optimizing Surgical Performance Using Preoperative Virtual Reality Planning: A Systematic Review #

Laskay NMB et al. · World journal of surgery · 2023

Multi-specialty · Systematic review

Positive finding
“This review demonstrates that time spent rehearsing and visualizing patient-specific anatomical relationships in VR may improve operative efficiency and communication across multiple surgical specialties.”

DOIPubMed

B-onic Suite: An Integrated Platform for Personalized Medical Devices, Real-Time Surgical Planning, and Enhanced Intraoperative Navigation #

Martín Cubillo C et al. · Studies in health technology and informatics · 2025

Multi-specialty · Technical development

Positive finding
“Deployed in routine clinical workflows at La Paz University Hospital, the platform has demonstrated reduced preoperative planning times and improved surgical accuracy.”

DOIPubMed

All multi-specialty studiesThis question across specialtiesBrowse the whole library

Summarises published research on VR/AR surgical planning across all platforms. Not product labelling. For Elucis indications see /elucis.

Intended for healthcare professionals.

Summaries and quotes describe each study's methods and the findings its authors report. They are not claims by Realize Medical and may contain errors: please read the original paper. Inclusion is not an endorsement of any product or use.