Deformable Tissue Modelling and Augmented Reality Based Guidance for Head and Neck Tumor Re-Resection Task

Augmented reality (AR) technology, combined with computer vision algorithms, offers significant potential to enhance surgical visualization by generating GPS-like spatial maps over the patient's anatomy. This study aims to evaluate the usability and impact of our AR surgical guidance system, delivered through Microsoft HoloLens 2 (or equivalent AR/VR goggles such as Magic Leap or Apple Vision Pro), among surgeons while they complete various surgical tasks on cadaveric specimens. Specifically, an assessment of how the AR system influences surgeon performance and user experience during tasks such as suturing and specimen relocation, performed both with and without AR assistance.

Task accuracy (e.g., resection precision) will be measured and survey responses will be collected to assess the system's usability, ease of use, and comfort. Building on prior work where the investigators validated the feasibility and accuracy of AR-guided surgical holograms, this study focuses on advancing the evaluation of the system's usability and impact on performance. The goal is to generate insights into the application of AR guidance in head and neck tumor resection, ultimately contributing to improved intraoperative surgical precision and patient outcomes.

Inclusion criteria

• Post-graduate year 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 (PGY2-5) resident physicians. (no age limit)
• Surgical fellows.
• Attending physicians.
• Prior cadaver lab or surgical experience.
• Any surgeon, regardless of training and experience, who has been involved in the surgeon-pathologist interaction during surgical resection for frozen section and margin clearance assessment.

Exclusion criteria

• Non-physician surgery providers.