Published online Jun 8, 2025. doi: 10.35712/aig.v6.i1.106746
Revised: April 1, 2025
Accepted: April 11, 2025
Published online: June 8, 2025
Processing time: 92 Days and 18.2 Hours
Hepatobiliary surgery is complex and requires a thorough understanding of the liver’s anatomy, biliary system, and vasculature. Traditional imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), although helpful, fail to provide three-dimensional (3D) relationships of these structures, which are critical for planning and executing complicated surgeries.
To explore the use of 3D imaging and virtual surgical planning (VSP) technologies to improve surgical accuracy, reduce complications, and enhance patient recovery in hepatobiliary surgeries.
A comprehensive review of studies published between 2017 and 2024 was conducted through PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science. Studies selected focused on 3D imaging and VSP applications in hepatobiliary surgery, assessing surgical precision, complications, and patient outcomes. Thirty studies, including randomized controlled trials, cohort studies, and case reports, were included in the final analysis.
Various 3D imaging modalities, including multidetector CT, MRI, and 3D rotational angiography, provide high-resolution views of the liver’s vascular and biliary anatomy. VSP allows surgeons to simulate complex surgeries, improving preoperative planning and reducing complications like bleeding and bile leaks. Several studies have demonstrated improved surgical precision, reduced complications, and faster recovery times when 3D imaging and VSP were used in complex surgeries.
3D imaging and VSP technologies significantly enhance the accuracy and outcomes of hepatobiliary surgeries by providing individualized preoperative planning. While promising, further research, particularly randomized controlled trials, is needed to standardize protocols and evaluate long-term efficacy.
Core Tip: Integration of three dimensional (3D) imaging and virtual surgical planning has led to enhanced surgical precision, providing detailed anatomical visualization that significantly improves surgical accuracy. This allows for better preoperative planning and reduces intraoperative complications. The use of 3D models has contributed to a reduction in complications, with decreased operative times, lower blood loss, and fewer postoperative issues such as bile leaks and vascular injuries, thereby improving patient safety. Surgeries that incorporate 3D-assisted planning also result in improved patient outcomes, including faster recovery, lower morbidity rates, and better long-term survival, particularly in complex procedures like liver transplantation and hepatectomies.