19 Neurosurgery studies in the library address this question.
“In 2 cases (8%), surgical planning with MxR led to the modification of the approach or the head's positioning.”
Colombo 2026 · Comparative study · n: 50 cases (25 MxR, 25 control)
“The surgeons changed their exploration strategy in 48.3% of the NVC cases.”
Wang 2024 · Prospective cohort · n: 40 patients
“The VR session also effectively improved the decision-making process regarding minor surgical techniques in 61.1% of cases”
Sugiyama 2021 · Prospective cohort · n: 18 patients
“The 3D-VR modality significantly influenced the detection of tumor-related anatomical structures (p = 0.002), recommended head positioning (p = 0.005), and surgical approach (p = 0.03).”
Zawy Alsofy 2021 · Retrospective cohort · n: 30 patients
Of 19 studies with a finding on this question: 16 report a positive finding, 3 mixed. These reflect what each study's authors report.
Study designs: 4 comparative or prospective studies, 3 retrospective studies, 1 survey or user study, 3 reviews and 8 case reports, case series and technical reports.
Colombo E et al. · Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) · 2026
Neurosurgery · Comparative study · n: 50 cases (25 MxR, 25 control)
“In 2 cases (8%), surgical planning with MxR led to the modification of the approach or the head's positioning.”
2 cases (8%)
Wang J et al. · Neurosurgical focus · 2024
Neurosurgery · Prospective cohort · n: 40 patients
“The surgeons changed their exploration strategy in 48.3% of the NVC cases.”
48.3%
Colombo E et al. · Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) · 2023
Neurosurgery · Prospective cohort · n: 107 cases
“Based on the 3D hologram, the surgical approach was modified in 3 cases.”
3 cases
Sugiyama T et al. · Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) · 2021
Neurosurgery · Prospective cohort · n: 18 patients
“The VR session also effectively improved the decision-making process regarding minor surgical techniques in 61.1% of cases”
61.1%
Zawy Alsofy S et al. · Journal of clinical medicine · 2021
Neurosurgery · Retrospective cohort · n: 30 patients
“The 3D-VR modality significantly influenced the detection of tumor-related anatomical structures (p = 0.002), recommended head positioning (p = 0.005), and surgical approach (p = 0.03).”
p = 0.005
Zawy Alsofy S et al. · The Journal of craniofacial surgery · 2020
Neurosurgery · Retrospective cohort · n: 93 patients
“Image presentation using VR had a significant influence on the recommended surgical approach (P = 0.02), but no influence on the recommended patient positioning (P = 0.37) or placement of craniotomy (P = 0.09).”
P = 0.02
Zawy Alsofy S et al. · Brain sciences · 2020
Neurosurgery · Retrospective cohort · n: 26 patients
“The 3D-VR modality significantly influenced detection of the aneurysm-related vascular structure (p = 0.0001), the recommended head positioning (p = 0.005), and the surgical approach (p = 0.001) in the planning of microsurgical clipping.”
p = 0.001
Haider S et al. · World neurosurgery · 2024
Neurosurgery · Survey/user study · n: 6 cases
“Skull position significantly changed in 5 out of 6 cases after 3D-AR view (P < 0.05, 20° angular adjustment).”
5 out of 6 cases
Marrone S et al. · Neurosurgical focus · 2024
Neurosurgery · Systematic review
“The increasing use of such innovative technologies has completely changed the way to approach a lesion, using 3D visualization to foster a better understanding of its anatomical and vascular characteristics.”
Colombo E et al. · Frontiers in surgery · 2023
Neurosurgery · Systematic review
“A positive impact on surgical planning was documented by 19 studies (67.9%)…”
67.9%
Fiani B et al. · World neurosurgery · 2020
Neurosurgery · Narrative review
“In cranial surgery, VR has excelled in helping neurosurgeons design unique patient-specific approaches to particularly challenging tumor excisions.”
Giussani CG et al. · Operative neurosurgery (Hagerstown, Md.) · 2026
Neurosurgery · Experience report · n: 1 patient (twin pair)
“The integrated simulation reshaped the multistep approach, allowing venous partition strategies and refined cranial reconstruction planning to be discussed, replicated, and enhanced multidisciplinarily.”
Gurses ME et al. · Clinical neurology and neurosurgery · 2025
Neurosurgery · Case report · n: 1 patient
“This technological setup was employed for pre-operative and intraoperative planning and further enhanced clinical decision-making for the actual tumor resection.”
Shields LBE et al. · Epilepsia open · 2025
Neurosurgery · Experience report · n: 85 patients
“The multi-layered and 3D model of the ST system facilitates epilepsy decision-making for both diagnosis and treatment, enhances surgical navigation, and even allows, in a robust virtual reality (VR) environment, the practice of complex surgical procedures.”
Valerio J et al. · Journal of personalized medicine · 2024
Neurosurgery · Case series · n: 2 patients
“We can utilize VR/AR technologies to identify patients that will benefit from an SOKC and expand the implementation of the approach beyond its current limitations.”
Colombo E et al. · Frontiers in surgery · 2023
Neurosurgery · Case report · n: 1 patient
“The application of advanced 3D visualization with a novel MxR system to the surgical planning of a complex fourth ventricular lesion proved relevant in designing the best surgical approach and trajectory to better identify potential intraoperative challenges and rehearse the patient-specific anatomy.”
Lai GY et al. · Neurosurgery practice · 2023
Neurosurgery · Case series · n: 5 patients
“Modifications to 2-dimensional and "top-down" VR trajectory plans were made after "bottom-up" navigation in all cases.”
Anthony D et al. · Journal of neurosurgery. Case lessons · 2021
Neurosurgery · Case series · n: 5 patients
“For two cases, the plan changed after reviewing the patient's 360°VR model from one based on conventional Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine imaging.”
Carai A et al. · Neuro-Oncology · 2020
Neurosurgery · Conference abstract · n: 60 patients
“Use of the 3D VR was used during preoperative planning allowing a better definition of surgical strategy.”
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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.