Surgeons Use VR Headsets to Separate Conjoined Twins

Virtual reality helped surgeons complete one of the most complicated conjoined twin separations.

"These operations are considered the hardest of our time, and to do it in virtual reality was just really man-on-Mars stuff," said one of the surgeons who led the procedure.

The twins were born with fused brains and are three years old. This condition is extremely difficult to treat and is rare.

The hope for a successful separation was diminishing because surgeons had failed at multiple attempts to detach the boys.

Thanks to the use of virtual reality technology, the team of surgeons were able to counter the many obstacles presented by the nature of craniopagus.

The surgeons worked with virtual reality engineers to create a model of the boys' entangled anatomy. They were able to see into the twins' fused brains, as well as try different surgery techniques.

This is the first instance in which surgeons in multiple countries met in a digital operating room and practiced the procedure together, and it's not the first time that Virtual Reality has been used in the separation of children with Craniopagus.

"It's wonderful," he told PA Media. You can do the surgery before the children are at risk.

Over 100 medical personnel were involved in the surgery. The twins are said to be recovering well.

The success of the operation may lead to the application of Virtual Reality to other surgical interventions.

The model of what we have done can be used for other rare conditions.

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