Application of the augmented reality tool VSI holomedicine for improved patient education before sinus surgery – a prospective randomised pilot study

The use of augmented reality (AR) glasses in scientific research but also in medical training and perioperative and intraoperative phases is steadily increasing. To date, there are few high-quality studies available on their use as an educational method prior to surgical interventions. Nonetheless the available data suggests a high potential as a tool in preoperative settings. This study therefore investigated whether the use of the AR tool VSI HoloMedicine as an application on the HoloLens 2 by Microsoft before ESS is superior to the conventional form of patient education using CT images on a PC screen. Over a period of 6 months 20 patients with indications for ESS were included in this prospective randomised controlled clinical study. These were randomized into two subgroups. In both groups, information was provided both using the conventional method and VSI HoloMedicine. The subgroups differed regarding the order in which the two forms of education took place. Following each educational session patients completed a questionnaire. The visualization ability was significantly improved using the new educational method. In direct comparison of the educational methods, a clear majority of patients opted for VSI HoloMedicine as more helpful for the decision to undergo surgery and assessed it as the educational method of the future. VSI HoloMedicine is a promising tool for preoperative education prior to paranasal sinus surgery to improve the patient’s understanding and visual imagination of paranasal sinus surgery. As a result, patient benefit can be increased using the new form patient education.