Outpatient Surgery Magazine

Special Outpatient Surgery Edition - Hot Technology - April 2019

Outpatient Surgery Magazine, providing current information on Surgical Services, Surgical Facility Administration, Outpatient Surgery News and Trends, OR Excellence and more.

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decrease in resolution was more limiting than the increase in depth perception." Typically used in video microscopes with heads-up displays, 4K-3D technology promises more accurate surgery by providing high-resolu- tion 3D imaging of the structure of tissue, blood vessels and other parts of the anatomy. On the 4K-3D system Dr. Bederson uses, the images can be displayed on both the eyepiece of the microscope and an ultra-high-definition video monitor. Dr. Bederson notes that not only does the technology boast detailed views of the surgical field, but it also has the ability to integrate with other standalone technologies, overlaying data from surgical navigation systems, CT scans, MRI scans and even virtual reality technology on the image of the surgical field to guide surgeons and help them avoid delicate anatomical struc- tures. Rafael Grossmann, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and healthcare innovator in Bangor, Maine, notes that while 3D imaging may help some surgeons and can "look real" on the screen, it's still hard to define what, if any, benefits it provides in terms of outcomes or surgi- cal accuracy. Though Dr. Bederson says that he uses the 4K-3D microscope for complex procedures such as removal of deep-seated brain tumors or treating aneurysms, the technology could also be used for routine cer- vical and lumbar spine cases, like discectomies. Dr. Bederson notes the technology is still a "very high-tech, expensive platform," but with more manufacturers looking at how to incorporate 4K-3D images into surgical specialties, he sees it becoming more commonplace. "The expense is on the microscope side," he explains. "4K-3D comes down to a camera and a flat screen. If you take out the video aspect of things, you could reduce the price significantly. I have a feeling once the technology is used routinely, it will facilitate increased safety 4 4 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • A P R I L 2 0 1 9

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