Mixed Reality Combined with Surgical Navigation in Resection of Micro‐ and Mini‐Tumors of the Parotid Gland: A Pilot Study

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and outcomes of mixed reality combined with surgical navigation (MRSN) in the resection of parotid micro‐ and mini‐tumors. Methods Eighteen patients who underwent parotid tumor resection between December 2020 and November 2022 were included. Six patients were enrolled in MRSN group, and the surgeons performed the surgery with the help of MRSN technology. The surgical procedures include virtual planning, data transfer between mixed reality and surgical navigation, tumor localization and resection assisted by surgical navigation under mixed reality environment. Twelve patients were enrolled in control group, and intraoperative tumor localization and resection were performed according to the experience of the surgeon. Total surgery time and intraoperative bleeding were recorded. Perioperative complications were recorded during follow‐up. Results The mean surgery time of MRSN group (76.7 ± 14.0 min) and control group (65.4 ± 21.3 min) showed no significant difference ( p = 0.220), so did the intraoperative bleeding of MRSN group (16.0 ± 8.0 mL) and control group (16.7 ± 6.6 mL) ( p = 0.825). None of the patient in MRSN group underwent any complication, although one patient in control group suffered temporary facial paralysis. The mean deviation between the virtually marked and the intraoperative actual outermost point of tumor was 3.03 ± 0.83 mm. Conclusion MRSN technology can realize real‐time three‐dimensional visualization of the tumor, and it has the potential of enhancing the safety and accuracy of resection of micro‐ and mini‐tumors of parotid gland. Level of Evidence 4 Laryngoscope , 2023