Imaging Derived Holograms Improve Surgical Outcome in Inexperienced Surgeons: A Meta-Analysis

Background: Mixed reality (MR) is an emerging technology that has been employed in medicine, providing a holographic representation of patient anatomy. Purpose: The aim of this review is to examine the use of imaging-derived holograms in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Research Desing: A literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar up to June 2023, a total of 31 studies were included. A random-effects model was employed for the meta-analysis. Results: MR has been extensively used in orthopedic surgery, spinal surgery, and interventional procedures for pain management. A 3D model is derived from DICOM images and superimposed on the surgical field. The procedure’s accuracy has yielded remarkable results, especially for operators with less surgical experience. Furthermore, this technology minimises the need for intra-procedure imaging, thus reducing radiation exposure. Conclusion: The meta-analysis showed an impact of MR in reducing operatory time and improving inexperienced surgeons’ accuracy.