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This review article examines the applications of 3D visualization technologies, including 3D reconstruction, 3D printing, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR), in various general surgery subspecialties. It covers the use of these technologies in preoperative planning, intraoperative navigation, postoperative follow-up, and surgical training. The review also discusses the limitations, ethical considerations, and future directions of these technologies, including the integration of AI and advanced telecommunications.
3D visualization technologies are increasingly integrated into general surgery workflows, offering potential improvements in surgical precision and outcomes across various subspecialties.
The advancement of precision surgery demands increased operative accuracy, underscoring the growing importance of three-dimensional (3D) visualization technology as a key tool for overcoming the limitations of two-dimensional (2D) imaging. Over the past decade, this technology has evolved from a post-processing tool into an integrated intelligent platform spanning the entire surgical workflow: preoperative assessment, surgical planning, intraoperative navigation, postoperative follow-up, and teaching/training. This report comprehensively reviews the current applications and key advances of 3D reconstruction, 3D printing, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR) technologies across major general surgery subspecialties. These include hepatobiliary, pancreatic, gastrointestinal, thyroid/breast, hernia/abdominal wall, organ transplantation, and pediatric surgery. Through in-depth analysis, the review elucidates how these technologies facilitate precision surgery, objectively assesses current technical limitations and ethical/regulatory challenges, and explores future directions driven by artificial intelligence (AI), 5G/6G telecommunications, and digital twin technology.
