Otovis: A Photorealistic Virtual Reality Environment for Facial Nerve Anatomy Education

Introduction: The temporal petrous bone is an anatomically complex structure through which the facial nerve follows a multidimensional course. Understanding the structural intricacies of the area is essential for avoiding facial nerve injury. Today, medical education relies largely on cadaveric dissections, which are costly and challenging to access. OtoVIS, a novel smartphone-based virtual reality (VR) platform, was developed to address these barriers. The platform houses numerous neurotologic modules. We describe the development of a facial nerve module designed for Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery trainees and surgeons alike.

Methods: OtoVIS is a three-dimensional (3D) VR simulation of the lateral skull base rendered in photorealism using a game engine. These techniques were applied to open-source, high-fidelity 3D models of the facial nerve. Accurate anatomical representations were developed in consultation with expert surgeons and through a review of the medical literature. The platform user experience and user interface (UI) design adhered to well-established VR development guidelines and UI principles.

Results: OtoVIS delivers 3D graphics that beautifully emulate human anatomy in the lateral skull base. The product face and content validation were previously published. Through the support of the Ohlson Research Initiative, the platform is free for any user’s smartphone on their respective application store. The new photorealistic facial nerve module reflects intraoperative anatomy with overlay labels and highlights.

Conclusion : The OtoVIS facial nerve module enables trainees and surgeons to conceptualize anatomy in an accessible and cost-effective way. Early product feedback has supported its utility as a training tool. Future work will include user testing with iterative development, evaluation of learning outcomes, and comparison with existing educational tools.