Ultra-high-definition
imaging is truly a sight
to behold, but the ben-
efits of big screen sur-
gery go well beyond
the initial wow factor. 4K monitors also allow for greater depth of
color and depth perception, two key factors in helping surgeons per-
form intricate laparoscopic procedures. "We need to maintain instru-
ment triangulation, accurately judge the depth of field and distances
between anatomical landmarks or anatomy and our instruments,"
says Dr. Schlachta. The higher the resolution, the higher the color
depth and the better the contrast and shading — the visual clues sur-
geons use to see clearer and easier.
Dr. Schlachta points out 4K video can be displayed on bigger moni-
tors without the image quality degrading, letting surgeons zoom in on
specific anatomy tissue without losing an ounce of clarity. Some large
monitors come with tiling functions or split-screen functionality, let-
ting surgical teams call up secondary displays such as MRI images
without impacting the surgeon's view of the surgical display.
Gone are the days of stacking monitors on top of video towers and
forcing surgeons to crane their necks in ergonomically incorrect posi-
tions to perform surgery. Large monitors can be mounted on carts
and positioned farther away from the sterile field to free up space
around the OR table, letting surgeons move freely and position them-
selves in ergonomic friendly positions.
"Place monitors throughout the OR with flow and function in mind,"
says Keith W. Mignault, MSBE, senior equipment planner at IMEG
Corp., in Naperville, Ill. He says OR equipment should let staff move
around safely and efficiently.
He suggests saving money by hanging standard definition versions
M A Y 2 0 2 0 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y. N E T • 7 9
"I expect surgery performed in 4K
will be safer and more efficient, which
will lead to better outcomes.
— Christopher Schlachta, MD