Surgeons in India Embrace 3D Technology

In just the last month, 22 surgeries have been conducted in the the Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur, India that have relied upon advanced 3D technology to aid in precision medical interventions. Each of these cases involved a patient with cholelithiasis disease, the medical term for the presence of stones in the gallbladder. However, recently surgeons also relied upon a 3D printed model to provide valuable information for an operation to be performed on the craniovertebral junction – the first such neurosurgical application of the technology in the country.

While gallbladder surgery may be less glamorous than, say, neurosurgery, it is still no casual undertaking. A botched gallbladder surgery can lead to a significant number of complications, including death, and surgeons are eager to utilize technology to its fullest advantage to minimize any difficulties. Technologies such as the CT scan and the insertion of miniature cameras have helped advance the positive outcomes of such surgeries and it is predicted the integration of 3D technologies can only further improve that performance. As explained by Dr. Jeevan Kankaria, Associate Professor of General and Laparoscopy Surgery at SMS:

“While performing gall bladder removal surgeries, one of the most important things the surgeon has to remember is the common bile duct attached to gall bladder should not get cut. If it gets cut, then the case becomes complicated. Out of 100, three such cases of complications are reported in 2D surgery. But in case of 3D surgeries, as the surgeon has better vision, such cases of complication can be prevented.”

The 3D image that guides surgeons during the performance of the surgery is achieved by inserting two cameras into the area receiving the intervention, thereby creating a 3D image on the screen viewed by the surgeons during performance. Not only is it predicted that the use of these 3D technologies will help reduce the complications and other negative side effects of having this type of surgery, it is also believed that they will lower the overall cost for medical treatment as well as reduce the amount of time required to perform the surgery.

With all of this good news, is there any possible downside? That remains to be seen as Dr. Kankaria is currently conducting tests to determine if there are any detrimental affects on the surgeons themselves as a result of performing a surgery in this manner. Specifically, he is interested in determining if the use of multiple cameras to create 3D images for viewing during the operation has any negative impacts on the eyes of the surgeons.

“We have been using 2D technique in surgeries for removing gall bladder [sic]. But, now we have started using it on experimental basis. We are testing the machine how safe it is for surgeons and also for the patients. In first 22 cases, we have found that it is safe for surgeons and also it has a risk for surgeons’ eyes. We are checking if it is causing strain on surgeons’ eyes.”

Should it be determined that there is no unreasonable strain on the surgeons’ eyes, there is a green light for continuing to perform these surgeries in this manner, while clearly if the technique causes undue strain, there is a significant amount of motivation to correct that circumstance rather than just allowing this valuable 3D technique to be discarded. Thoughts on this technology? Discuss over in the 3D Technology During Surgeries in India forum over at 3DPB.com.