ABSTRACT
Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology that could drastically change traditional medical training and surgical techniques. The level of interactivity in real-time distinguishes VR applications from other computer systems. In virtual environments (VE), users are immersed in artificially generated environments. The perception of sound also facilitates the feeling of immersion within a virtual environment. An ideal VE for patient care would integrate all available information for a patient into one model, including medical images, biochemical analysis and patient history. The use of simulations is one of the most appealing applications for VR in medicine. VR simulations can be used for training and certification of surgeons, especially in complicated procedures such as in minimally invasive medicine. The availability of medical simulators for teaching of surgeons and medical students will likely be a very important application of VR in medicine. Virtual and augmented reality systems are not limited to diagnosis, planning and simulation but can also be beneficial during surgery.
