3‐D Arthroscopy: A New Frontier in Surgical Visualization

At present, support of 3‐D visualization for laparoscopic surgical procedures is growing. This is likely due to the ability to interpret anatomical structures during the 3‐D visualization previously impossible in 2‐D endoscopic procedures. With the ability to interpret depth cues accurately, surgeons better orient themselves in body cavities with greater ease and fewer movements, ultimately correlating to reduced patient morbidity. Considering the validated success of 3‐D in endoscopy, it is surprising that this technology has not been applied to arthroscopy; the endoscopy of joints. At present, millions of arthroscopic surgeries are performed using primitive 2‐D scope technology on the 3‐D anatomy of the joint cavity, posing a significant conceptual roadblock for novice orthopedic surgeons. This study aims to apply technology used in 3‐D laparoscopes to build a 3‐D arthroscope prototype to enhance operative precision via accurate visualization of the joint. This study also aims to test the efficacy of a prototype for skill acquisition via the Global Ratings Scale for surgical skills, completion time measurements, and instances of perceptual depth errors. It is hypothesized that testing surgical applications of this 3‐D visualization in trainees will result in reduced training time, fewer perceptual errors, increased operative precision and decreased burden of cognitive load in the user. Grant Funding Source : Departmental