NaRALAp seeks to develop a navigation system with laparoscopy based on two pillars: virtual/augmented reality and a liver biomechanical model. Its objective is to advance in the creation of technology that facilitates safer laparoscopic interventions and in accordance with preoperative planning.

In minimally invasive abdominal surgeries, laparoscopy, it is of great importance the precise location of the incisions where the instruments will be introduced during the intervention (trocars) so that the surgery is effective. Sometimes, when the operation is complicated, determining the exact position where to make the incisions is a difficult task even for experienced surgeons. To determine this location, the surgeon is guided by palpation and 2D visualization of the anatomical and pathological structures of the patient obtained from preoperative CT images or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).

In this project, augmented reality (AR) is used to facilitate trocar placement. For this purpose, a 3D model of the abdominal organs of the patient extracted from preoperative anatomical studies is created. Subsequently, this model is projected onto the patient at the operating table, providing additional information to the surgeon to decide the most appropriate place to perform the incisions.

The system resulting from the project was validated in a real environment obtaining promising results and demonstrating that an augmented reality system can provide improvements to the surgeon in trocar placement for laparoscopic surgery.