Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology which transfers virtual information to real environments with the aim to improve visual comprehension. A principle of AR is overlay: the camera reads the aimed object, which is recognize by the system, that then overlays the further level of information onto the image, integrating it into the real environment. This increases the quantity and quality of information related to an object.

This technology has been applied to various biomedical fields, among which is surgical navigation.

In regards to head and neck surgery, the application is in particular tied to "orthognathic" surgery, which, as suggested by its Greek etymology, aims to correct dento-skeletal dysmorphisms, discrepancies in the measure and position of upper and lower jaw.

Our research team, thanks to the VOSTARS consortium, which collaborates with various EU Universities (https://www.vostars.eu/), and thanks to the EU H2020-ICT-2016-2017 call funds, had the ability to test the first prototype of the AR visor in the operating room.