Virtual Twin Patients: What Indian Doctors Can Learn from the Future of Surgical Planning

Harikrishnan Varieth

Imagine being able to perform surgery before ever stepping into the operating room, not in theory, but on a virtual copy of your actual patient. That’s the promise of a Virtual Twin Patient (VTP), a technology that’s beginning to reshape surgical planning, diagnostics, and even patient education. VTPs are dynamic digital replicas of individual patients, built from imaging, health records, and AI models. They allow surgeons to rehearse complex procedures, predict outcomes, and personalise treatment, making care safer and more precise.

Global adoption is underway, and India is slowly catching up through initiatives like ABDM and AI-enabled EMRs.

From Uncertainty to Simulation

Every surgeon knows the stakes: one millimeter off during a transplant or tumour resection can change everything. Traditionally, planning depends on scans, experience, and best judgment. But what if you could test the surgery on a replica of your patient first?

That’s the promise of Virtual Twin Patients, a chance to move from educated guesses to rehearsed precision.

The Rise of Virtual Twins in Medicine

A virtual twin is an AI-driven, 3D digital replica of a patient’s anatomy and physiology. It goes beyond imaging:

• Inputs: MRI/CT scans, genomic data, lab results, wearable device streams 
• Output: A dynamic simulation of organs, tissues, and even blood flow 

With this, surgeons can:

• Rehearse procedures before the real thing
• Compare different surgical approaches
• Predict complications and outcomes more accurately [1][2]

Where It’s Already Making a Difference

• France: Dassault Systèmes’ Living Heart Project is helping cardiologists simulate interventions with patient-specific heart models. [4]
• Mount Sinai & Johns Hopkins (USA): Virtual twins are integrated into both training and care planning. [5] 
• Karolinska Institute (Sweden): Medical students now ‘practice’ surgeries on digital twins before seeing live patients. 

What started with high-risk neurosurgery and cardiac procedures is now spreading to orthopaedics, ENT, and oncology. [3]

Indian Pioneers

• IIT Madras: Exploring cardiac twins for pre-surgical planning. 
• SGPGI, Lucknow: Using twin models to evaluate multiple treatment options simultaneously. 

Why This Matters for Indian Doctors

Safer Surgeries, Smarter Planning

A virtual twin helps test techniques before making an incision, reducing intraoperative surprises and post-op complications. [6]

Clearer Conversations with Patients

Showing a patient, their own 3D heart or joint is far more effective than explaining with 2D scans. It builds trust and improves consent rates. [7]

A Training Boost for Residents

Residents and junior doctors can practice on patient-specific models, addressing India’s training gaps. [8]

Can This Work in India’s Clinics?

Today, the full version of virtual twin tech requires high-quality imaging, powerful GPUs, and large datasets, resources mostly available in big metros and specialty hospitals.

But things are moving fast:

• ABDM-linked health records are creating structured, interoperable patient data. 
• Affordable AI hardware & open-source models are lowering entry barriers. 
• Tier-2 labs & hospitals are already experimenting with AI-driven radiology and surgical mapping. [9] 

How TatvaPractice Fits In

You may not deploy virtual twins tomorrow, but you can start preparing today by creating clean, structured digital data. That’s where TatvaPractice comes in:

• VoiceRx: Dictate and convert notes into structured prescriptions instantly 
• SmartSync: Turn handwritten notes into usable digital Rx
• Tatva AI: Provide decision support while keeping doctors in control 
• AI Assistant: Automate admin tasks and symptom collection for better data completeness 

Every structured note today makes future integration with digital twin platforms easier.

Virtual twin patients aren’t science fiction anymore; they’re becoming part of modern surgical planning worldwide. For Indian doctors, the key isn’t waiting for the tech to arrive, but preparing by building digital-first, data-driven clinics today.

With platforms like TatvaPractice enabling structured records and data-driven workflows, Indian doctors can position themselves at the forefront of this shift without waiting for the future to arrive.

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FAQs

1. How is a virtual twin different from a 3D scan?

A 3D scan is static. A virtual twin simulates physiology like blood flow, organ function, and disease progression, making it interactive.

2. Is this only for complex surgeries?

No. While it started in neurosurgery and cardiology, twins are now used in orthopaedics, ENT, oncology, and chronic disease planning.

3. When will India see widespread adoption?

Likely within 5 – 7 years, starting with large hospitals in metros and expanding as ABDM and AI-driven EMRs scale up.

4. What’s needed to create a virtual twin?

High-quality imaging, structured EHR data, optional genomic data, and advanced modelling software.

5. Can small clinics benefit now?

Yes, by digitising records and adopting AI-enabled EMRs. That’s the first step toward future readiness.

6. How does it impact patient consent?

Visual models improve comprehension, reduce fear, and support informed decision-making.

7. Does TatvaPractice offer VTP features?

Not yet. But it prepares your clinic by building the structured datasets that digital twin platforms will rely on.