Widespread adoption refers to the process by which a technology, technique, or clinical practice becomes commonly used across multiple institutions, settings, or professional communities. It implies a transition from early experimentation or pilot use to routine integration in standard workflows.

In neurosurgery, widespread adoption of an innovation typically depends on:

• Demonstrated clinical effectiveness through peer-reviewed studies
• Reproducibility of results across diverse patient populations
• Cost-effectiveness and resource feasibility
• Training accessibility for surgeons and staff
• Inclusion in clinical guidelines or standard-of-care protocols

Without these elements, a new tool or approach—such as 3D virtual reality or 3D printing—may remain confined to experimental or showcase settings and fail to impact real-world practice.