Mixed Reality and Metaverse

The progress in technology witnessed over the past three decades surpasses the entire technological evolution of the preceding two millennia. The rate of innovation in certain sectors has been so exponential that its ripple effects have significantly impacted other domains. One such domain experiencing a profound transformation is the field of surgery, thanks to the advancements in digital technology and the Internet, which are revolutionizing nearly every aspect of human activities. With this current state as a foundation, what can we envision for the next 30 years? The term “metaverse” first made its appearance in 1992 in the novel Snow Crash written by science fiction author Neal Stephenson. In his novel, the Metaverse is a computer generated a world that exists parallel to ours, rendered as a perfectly round black sphere that would surpass the circumference of the Earth if compared in size. Envision a highly evolved metaverse that transcends the constraints of dimensions and geographical boundaries. In this metaverse, patients undergo virtual surgeries, experiencing digitized and simulated procedures before undertaking actual surgical interventions. Meanwhile, surgeons engage in psychomotor acceleration programs, enabling them to acquire skills in a matter of months rather than years, all within a hyperconnected world. This future holds the promise of unifying and seamlessly integrating these currently disparate elements. New industries will emerge, built upon the integration of these interconnected domains and this new generation of data. However, we must also ponder the role of the digital technology that we are familiar with today and grapple with its ethical implications. In this chapter, we delve into the theme of the digital, metaverse, and mixed reality as the dawning of a transformative era that will interconnect all existing realities, including, of course, the realm of neurosurgery. The chapter unfolds in three parts: The first part delves into the psychological and ethical aspects specifically related to neurosurgical training. The second part scrutinizes the evolution of digital and physical simulation in support of cadaver-free training. Finally, the third part provides profound insights into the potential integrated evolution of training, patient care, and data-driven AI applied to surgical education. Through this exploration, we aim to shed light on the intricacies and possibilities that lie ahead as we embark on this transformative journey at the intersection of digital technology, the metaverse, and neurosurgery.