Virtual Resection Planning using Bezier Surface Interactions in Collaborative VR Environments

The use of virtual reality (VR) has been proposed for collaborative planning or training scenarios to aid surgeons in preparing surgical interventions. In this paper, we explore the usage of cubic Bezier surfaces and their respective interactions in collaborative VR environments to define atypical resection surfaces for planning abdominal organ tumor resections. We conducted a pilot study (n = 10) to evaluate the usability of the Bezier surface interaction compared to a free deformation approach using the example of liver surgery planning. Moreover, we showed the prototype to an expert and conducted an interview to collect clinical feedback. The results show potential benefits of both interaction techniques that could be essential for virtual resection planning and training. The expert highlighted that combining both techniques could speed up the workflow and provide various options for planning.