Virtual surgery
Encyclopedia
Virtual surgery refers to a virtual reality simulation of surgical procedures.
Such simulations are used to practice often dangerous surgical procedures without the need for an actual patient
. The virtual reality simulation is used as an analog for the actual surgery where doctors can practice on a virtual patient before performing the surgery.
Types of surgeries commonly simulated are laparoscopic surgery
where the surgeon cannot physically see the operation being performed. Virtual surgery uses a computer screen displaying a 3-dimensional graphic of the organs being operated on. Various surgical tools or gloves are connected to motion sensors and haptic or tactile feedback mechanisms where the user can physically feel the difference in simulated tissue and organs. The user can "perform surgery" upon the virtual organs by manipulating the tools, which are also displayed on the screen as the user moves them, and the tools also provide force-feedback and collision detection to indicate to the user when they are pushing on or moving some organs or tissue. By inputting data from computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI) scans the patient can be replicated in the virtual environment. The advantages of this type of simulation is surgeons can practice operations multiple times without the use of cadavers or animals. Surgery simulation would give an objective evaluation of a surgeon dexterity combined with a more intensive training activity. It would allow the simulation of rare pathological cases and could simulate the interaction with several organs. Complications can be introduced during the surgery testing the user on real world scenarios. Virtually trained students may be more proficient and make fewer errors, and would thus be better prepared to assist during surgery.
The first virtual surgery (where actual surgery followed the virtual practise) was performed on 17 August 2009 when Dr David Clarke in Halifax, Nova Scotia removed a brain tumour 24 hours after removing a simulated tumour.
Such simulations are used to practice often dangerous surgical procedures without the need for an actual patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
. The virtual reality simulation is used as an analog for the actual surgery where doctors can practice on a virtual patient before performing the surgery.
Types of surgeries commonly simulated are laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery
Laparoscopic surgery, also called minimally invasive surgery , bandaid surgery, or keyhole surgery, is a modern surgical technique in which operations in the abdomen are performed through small incisions as opposed to the larger incisions needed in laparotomy.Keyhole surgery makes use of images...
where the surgeon cannot physically see the operation being performed. Virtual surgery uses a computer screen displaying a 3-dimensional graphic of the organs being operated on. Various surgical tools or gloves are connected to motion sensors and haptic or tactile feedback mechanisms where the user can physically feel the difference in simulated tissue and organs. The user can "perform surgery" upon the virtual organs by manipulating the tools, which are also displayed on the screen as the user moves them, and the tools also provide force-feedback and collision detection to indicate to the user when they are pushing on or moving some organs or tissue. By inputting data from computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
(MRI) scans the patient can be replicated in the virtual environment. The advantages of this type of simulation is surgeons can practice operations multiple times without the use of cadavers or animals. Surgery simulation would give an objective evaluation of a surgeon dexterity combined with a more intensive training activity. It would allow the simulation of rare pathological cases and could simulate the interaction with several organs. Complications can be introduced during the surgery testing the user on real world scenarios. Virtually trained students may be more proficient and make fewer errors, and would thus be better prepared to assist during surgery.
The first virtual surgery (where actual surgery followed the virtual practise) was performed on 17 August 2009 when Dr David Clarke in Halifax, Nova Scotia removed a brain tumour 24 hours after removing a simulated tumour.