Title : Virtual and augmented reality in neurosurgery (First experiences in education and clinical practice)

Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) are innovative technologies that enhance the way surgical techniques are taught. In simulating surgical procedures, we integrate the immersiveness of Virtual Reality (IVR) with the method of cognitive-motor dual tasking (CMDT), similar to its use in rehabilitation.  Augmented Reality (AR) combines the real world with digital information. In neurosurgery, it is beginning to be used in surgical planning, allowing, for example, the synchronization of a robot and VR image in brain and spinal surgeries. Based on initial experiences with teaching surgery (4 surgery modules) using these technologies, we can confirm:

1. Improved visualization of anatomical structures.
2. Increased student motivation with feedback in real time from instructors.
3. Shortened learning curve - being verified within the project.
4. Reduced error rates, thereby increasing patient safety - being verified within the project.

Overall, VR and AR represent a significant step forward in the field of medical education and practice.

The project was supported by the Just transition operational program of the state environmental fund of the Czech Republic as part of the LERCO project (CZ.10.03.01/0 0/22_003/0000003).

Dr. Martin Kender is a medical doctor specializing in neurosurgery. He graduated in General Medicine from Palacký University in Olomouc in 2019 and currently works at the Tomáš Baťa Regional Hospital in Zlín, Czech Republic. Since 2023, alongside his clinical work, he has been involved in the LERCO project at the University of Ostrava, focusing on the development of virtual reality-based neurosurgical training modules, with a particular interest in simulation-based education and surgical skill acquisition. Since 2025, he has also been a PhD student at the Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava.