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the-art video displays. From crys-
tal-clear ultra high-definition
monitors to the detail and depth
perception afforded by 3D tech-
nology, the future of surgical
video looks bright (and lifelike).
Life-saving detail
"I get patients sent to me on a
regular basis that surgeons don't want to perform open surgeries on," says Dr.
Eun, speaking about the benefits of 3D. "There's no question in my mind that
we're providing a better way to operate on people. I can do a better operation
because I can see in greater detail."
How much better? According to Dr. Eun, binocular vision and the added
dimension of 3D provide him with 10 times the magnification of 2D video. A lot
of surgeons who do detailed work during open procedures essentially have a
magnifying glass mounted on a pair of glasses, says Dr. Eun. "Not only do I have
magnification on the field that's greater than what they have," he adds, "but I
also see under and around structures.
"If there's a 1-inch gap between layers, surgeons doing open procedures have
to work really hard with retractors to get the light down there to where you can
see," he continues. "Whereas with tiny instruments and an 8 mm camera, I can
snake into that little sliver where you would never be able to see in great detail,
and I can see things like I'm in a large room."
That intimacy and that ability to clearly judge depth can be a huge and
potentially life-saving advantage, says Robert Owens, MD, an otolaryngologist
at the Owens Ear Center in Dallas, Texas. "You see high-powered drills right
next to patients' carotid arteries, and a millimeter too far could be lethal," says
Dr. Owens. "If I'm training a resident, I'm able to say, 'Stop, you're getting too
close.' With 2 dimensions, I can't easily perceive how deep they are."
Dr. Owens operates with a microscope, so for him the value of 3D is in the
z MULTIPLE SCREENS Routing video to monitors around the
OR lets surgical team members follow the surgeon's progress.
