More Than Meets the Eye: Augmented Reality in Otolaryngology Education and Patient Care

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Originally designed for immersive experiences in entertainment, augmented reality
(AR) has been adapted for many novel applications in medicine, particularly in the
field of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery. Unlike virtual reality which immerses
the user in a completely digital world, AR preserves and enhances the user’s
environment. AR fuses digital and physical realities through superimposition of a
computer-generated image on the user’s view of the real world. Surgeons can engage
with AR through technology already used in the operating room such as head mounted
devices, smart glasses, hand-held probes, smart phones, endoscopes,
microscopes, external projectors, and robotic surgical consoles. The integration of AR
into otolaryngology-head and neck surgery offers a wide range of promising
applications in preoperative planning, intraoperative navigation, and education.
Furthermore, AR-enabled surgical platforms have the potential for remote
collaboration, which would allow experts to provide guidance to surgeons in real time,
despite geographical distance and barriers.

In this case-based, multi-subspecialty panel discussion, we will explore the current
status and future applications of AR in otolaryngology-head and neck surgery,
highlighting the advantages and limitations of the technologies used, as well as their
future potential impact including. Uses of AR that target improved quality and Safety in the OR and in medical education will be focused upon throughout discussion. Notably, applications of AR for a broad range of subspecialties
within otolaryngology-head and neck surgery will be discussed, including facial plastic and
reconstructive surgery, head and neck surgical oncology, laryngology, pediatric
otolaryngology, otology/neurotology, and rhinology. The potential implications for
competency-based graduate medical education as well as the ethical considerations
of AR in surgery and patient care will be reviewed.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 1: Understand the current status of augmented reality in otolaryngology.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 2: Recognize the current limitations/ethical issues of augmented reality in otolaryngology.

OUTCOME OBJECTIVE 3: Describe the future potential for augmented reality in otolaryngology to enhance postgraduate
medical education and improve surgical patient care.

BACKGROUND STATEMENT: 2025 will continue to be a year of Augmented reality (AR). Otolaryngologists have always been cutting edge innovators. As adoption and innovation in AR rises, it becomes increasingly important to understand how to incorporate AR into our ORs to enhance patient care and medical training.

Comprehensive Otolaryngology Track Statement : NA