Virtual reality simulation training and assisted surgery: AYRA: Virtual and physical biomodels in surgery

In this paper we present a surgical application based on virtual reality called AYRA. AYRA allows surgeons training, planning and optimization of surgical procedures. AYRA was developed under a research, development and innovation project financed by the Andalusia Department of Health called VirSSPA. AYRA is very important for the health organization since the surgeons can be trained and helped by AYRA in decision making issues. Nowadays AYRA has been successfully used in more than 489 real cases and surgeons have declared their satisfaction with the results. After proving its efficiency it has been introduced in the clinical practice during the surgical planning sessions at the Virgen del Rocío University Hospital. For example, the use of AYRA reduces by 45 % the complication rate and in two hours the operating room time in breast microvascular reconstruction by DIEAP free flap. The success rate is increased because physicians can see the exact anatomy of the case and the extent of the injury that the patient suffers before proceeding with the surgery. In addition, surgeons can see and interact in 3D with other similar cases made in AYRA by other surgeon colleagues, thus promoting the training of surgeons and the knowledge transfer in this field.