Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/79506
With standard laparoscopy, surgeons had to learn how to operate in a three-dimensional field by watching a two-dimensional picture. With the 3DHD surgical vision system, surgeons and their staff can look at a three-dimensional image and be able to operate in a three-dimensional field. Although the system was installed only two months ago, urologists and general surgeons at Parma Hospital have readily used it. And the reviews are 4-star. "The new 3DHD system enables a surgeon to see as well as with a robotic system. It really provides an incredible image," says Patrick Renner, MD, a board-certified general surgeon with 18 years of experience. "Unlike the robotic system, no special training is required to use the new system. The laparoscopic equipment is the same, so there's no learning curve. All surgeons who perform laparoscopy can use it," he says. When compared to 2D visualization, 3D not only restores depth perception, but also has these advantages: + improves the surgeon's grasping of tis- sue with surgical instruments, which improves the surgeon's precision in dissecting and suturing; + increases safety; + has the potent ial to improve operative times. Both Drs. Wong and Renner agree that the greatest advantage of the 3DHD vision system is safety, which improves clinical outcomes. "The 3DHD vision helps to identify finer structures — vasculature, tubular structures, nerve structures. So it's less likely a structure would be injured," says Dr. Renner. "It especially helps with colon removals, which is a longer, more involved procedure and requires more dissection." "The shortcoming of standard lapa- roscopy was that surgeons had to learn how to operate in a three-dimensional field by watching a two-dimensional picture. We internally had to convert that two-dimensional picture into a three-dimensional space," Dr. Wong explains. "With this technology, we no longer have to do this. We can look at a three-dimensional image and be able to operate in a three-dimensional field." He goes on to say that anything he did robotically, he still does robotically. Anything he did laparoscopically, he still does laparoscopically. "Having this technology at Parma Hospital allows me to utilize both technical approaches — laparoscopy and robotic surgery — and not lose the ability to have a 3DHD picture," says Dr. Wong. "It's the best of both worlds," he says. "With these two systems, we believe we can provide the best possible clinical outcomes." For more information about the Center for Minimally Invasive and Robotic Surgery at Parma Community General Hospital, visit www.parmahospital.org. To schedule a patient, call Pam Yusz, director of Surgical Services, at 440-743-2131. ■ SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 2012 ■ MDNEWS.COM ■ MD NEWS Cleveland-Akron-Canton | 19