3D-Visualization in Interventional Medicine

The stereoscopic imaging in medicine is experiencing a renewed peak phase after an already arisen hype in this field in the 1990 s subsided after a relatively short time. The reasons for this were the then existing technical shortcomings of the stereoscopic visualization systems. However, the latest 3D imaging systems offer, since they arrived on the consumer market, a significantly improved image quality, which applies to be at least equal to current 2D display systems. As experienced surgeons have learned to interpret the monocular images and to derive the necessary depth information from this, even with the new peak phase stereoendoscopy in the field of endoscopic surgery did not gain broad acceptance so far. To evaluate whether 3D visualization provides a measurable value for users, we performed the present prospective clinical study in which the latest 3D systems were compared with a high-end 2D monitor system in laparoscopy. It has been shown that in terms of surgical performance not only inexperienced beginners, but also experienced experts profited from the 3D visualization, however the latter subjectively did not perceive this fact. Due to this findings, it can be assumed, that the three-dimensional visualization will be standard in the future, at least for the laparoscopic surgery. The interesting question, whether these findings will be relevant for other medical fields as well, such as for gastroenterology in the context of interventional endoscopy, requires further experimental trials on this subject.