A new study has found that integrating Mixed Reality (MR) technology into right hemicolectomy (RHC) procedures for colon cancer can significantly improve surgical outcomes. Conducted between January 2015 and August 2024, the research compared patients undergoing RHC for stage II or III colorectal cancer with and without the use of MR visualisation tools.
The study involved 192 patients, 47 of whom received surgery with MR assistance using tools such as SYNAPSE VINCENT, Holoeyes MD, and HoloLens2. These technologies provided detailed 3D visualisations of complex vascular anatomy, aiding surgeons in preoperative planning and intraoperative navigation. After matching 44 patients in each group via propensity score matching, the researchers analysed short-term surgical outcomes.
The findings revealed that patients in the MR-assisted group experienced less intraoperative blood loss, a shorter hospital stay, and a higher number of lymph nodes retrieved around the middle colic artery and vein—an indicator of improved oncological quality. Importantly, these benefits were achieved without extending operative time. Around 70% of surgeries in both groups were carried out by training surgeons, highlighting MR’s value as a teaching tool as well.
Researchers concluded that MR integration enhances the precision and safety of colorectal cancer surgery, offering both clinical and educational advantages. As surgical teams continue to adopt advanced technologies, MR may become a standard tool in complex procedures.
Reference
Ryu S et al. Advancing precision, safety, and education in D3 lymph node dissection for right hemicolectomy using mixed reality technology. Sci Rep. 2025; doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-99961-2.
