3D surgical modeling improves pre-surgical preparations — translating to better patient outcomes
Key Takeaways:
- Advancement in 3D surgical modeling have the potential to unlock significant improvement of surgical preparation and outcomes
- Holographic models of patient organs give surgeons comprehensive, patient-specific anatomical and pathological context of the procedures they will perform
- Surgeons are better prepared, operations are more efficient, and surgeries have a better chance to avoid complications
- Surgeons can share 3D surgical models of affected organs with patients so they better understand the surgical details and can give informed consent
- Intravision XR is a 3D surgical modeling solution that easily makes 3D models of patient organs available for surgical consideration
Medical care services always have been and will be of prime significance as far as the sphere of human health is concerned. The rigorous, ongoing efforts to bring improvements to the field of medicine and surgery are a testament to the importance attributed to better health services. And now, 3D surgical modeling is ready to play its part.
Recent innovations and upgrades in 3D surgical modeling tools have reached a stage of pragmatic sophistication. The results show that this technology has a promising potential to contribute to the health care industry.
Patient-specific surgical understanding
The digital modeling tools now available to surgeons can take CT scans and MRIs and swiftly convert them to detailed digital 3D models of a patient’s area of interest. These 3D models can be easily explored using VR headgear.
Virtual 3D models of patient organs that are readily available to surgeons have opened up a path to improved surgical outcomes. Surgeons can not only have a better understanding of patient anatomy, they can also scrutinize the pathological aspects of a disease more closely without having to face the burden of actual surgery time pressure. This means surgeons have a new planning tool available to them.
Surgeons can also easily share these digital organ models with their peers for consultations anywhere in the world.
UCLA study confirms better outcomes after the use of 3D virtual reality models for surgery preparation
A University of California study has revealed that 3D virtual reality models helped surgeons improve operation preparation. The results were specific to kidney tumor surgeries, but they suggest that use of the technology substantially improved surgical outcomes. Shorter operation times were registered along with less blood loss and speedy recoveries.
A few words about better patient comprehension concerning surgical procedures and patient consent
In addition to shortened surgery times and better preparation, the advent of 3D holographic modeling tools offers other benefits as well. Surgeons can use digital 3D organ models to help patients better understand surgical procedures. A surgeon can thoroughly explain all the facets of the surgery to the patient by guiding them through a 3D virtual reality model of the affected organ.
It goes without saying that patient consent is an important part of any surgical procedure. Now, a surgeon who used to have to explain a CT scan or an MRI to patients to gain informed consent can show them a 3D surgical model in virtual reality. This makes conveying the procedure, goals, and risks of a surgery much easier. The 3D models can be conveniently shared with patients and well-informed consent can be garnered.
The HoloLens project
When Microsoft launched the first HoloLens, its potential benefit to surgical procedures and outcomes was immediately realized by surgeons such as Thomas Gregory. Gregory utilized HoloLens to perform an orthopedic surgery that involved surgeons belonging to 13 different countries across five different continents. The HoloLens virtual reality technology made possible a plethora of information and communication innovations in the field of surgery.
HoloLens can allow surgeons to view holographic 3D images of patient organs generated from X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs. It can be operated via voice commands and hand gestures, which enables surgeons to evaluate virtual images of patient organs from various angles. The image size can be increased to have more clarity for better surgical inferences. The technology also allows surgeons to communicate with other specialists to have additional perspectives.
HoloLens can also make it possible to superimpose holographic images on top of the patient. This has the potential to be of great aid in helping surgical procedures reach an advanced level of precision and efficiency.
Many progressive and tech-savvy surgeons believe the use of virtual reality will become a norm in operating rooms. The technology will not only be used for surgical planning but also for peer collaboration during surgeries, and the only logical result of this is Improved patient outcomes.
Intravision XR is a 3D virtual modeling software that provides state of the art images within a seamless and completely automated process in minutes instead of hours or days. The software produces fully formed 3D organ models from CT scans and MRIs stored in DICOM format. The cloud-based software ensures that the 3D models can be accessed from anywhere via a compliant device.
Intravision XR is a cost-effective 3D surgical modeling solution that can enhance medical care in a surgery setting. For a detailed insight into how Intravision XR works and how you can use it in your facility, please contact us.
