3D-Visualisierung in der interventionellen Medizin

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 3 D imaging systems offer, since they arrived on the consumer market, a significantly improved image quality, which applies to be at least equal to current 2 D 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 3 D visualization provides a measurable value for users, we performed the present prospective clinical study in which the latest 3 D systems were compared with a high-end 2 D 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 3 D 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.