Immersive Live Streaming of Surgery Using 360-Degree Video to Head-Mounted Virtual Reality Devices: A New Paradigm in Surgical Education

Background Prior studies have demonstrated the value of live streamed surgical procedures in surgical education and that learning is further enhanced with the use of 360-degree video. Emerging virtual reality (VR) technology now offers yet another advancement by placing learners in an immersive environment, which can improve both engagement and procedural learning. Aims The aim here is to test the feasibility of live streaming surgery in immersive virtual reality using consumer-level technology, including stream stability and impacts on case duration. Methodology Ten laparoscopic procedures were live-streamed in a 360-degree immersive VR format over a 3-week period for viewing by surgical residents in a remote location wearing a head-mounted display. Stream quality, stability and latency were monitored, and operating room time was compared to non-streamed surgeries to quantify impacts on procedure times. Conclusions This novel live streaming configuration was able to deliver high-quality, low-latency video directly to a VR platform, allowing complete immersion into the learning environment by remote learners. Live streaming surgical procedures in an immersive VR format provides an efficient, cost-effective, and reproducible way to teleport remote learners from any location directly into the operating room.