Preliminary experience and feasibility test using a novel 3D virtual-reality microscope for otologic surgical procedures

Abstract

Background

Current surgical microscopes suffer from inherent constraints in achievable viewing angles and require manual interaction to control settings. Overcoming these limitations may provide benefits for otologic surgical procedures.

Objectives

We present a first feasibility and usability assessment of a novel commercial surgical microscope featuring a virtual-reality interface and hands-free control of a robot-mounted 3D-camera.

Materials and methods

Ex vivo feasibility tests were conducted in a human cadaveric head sample based on common otologic procedures. Usability metrics were obtained from feedback forms. In a first clinical case, the device was used to perform a tympanoplasty in a 68-year-old patient with a subtotal tympanic membrane perforation.

Results

Overall practicability of using the device for otologic procedures could be confirmed in the ex vivo tests. Beneficial aspects of the novel system which were subjectively encountered in the ex vivo tests and the first clinical case included hands-free control, visualization quality, and teaching potential.

Conclusions and significance

The novel virtual reality 3D-microscope bears potential to provide benefits for various otologic procedures, which will be evaluated more quantitatively in clinical follow-up studies.

Chinese abstract

背景：当前的外科显微镜在可实现的视角方面受到固有的限制, 并且需要手动干涉来控制设置。克服这些限制可能会为耳科手术带来好处。

目的：我们在此提出对一种新型的商业手术显微镜的首次可行性和可用性评估。该显微镜具有虚拟-现实界面和对机器人安装的3D摄像机的免提控制。

材料和方法：体外可行性测试是根据普通的耳科手术程序在人尸头部样品中进行的。可用性指标是从反馈表中获得的。在第一个临床病例中, 该设备用于对一位68岁鼓膜下穿孔患者进行鼓膜成形术。

结果：体外测试可以确认使用该设备进行耳科手术的总体实用性。第一个临床病例在体外试验中主观经历的新型系统的有益性包括免提控制、可视化质量和教学潜力。

结论和意义：新型虚拟现实3D显微镜具有为各种耳科手术提供益处的潜力, 将在随后的临床研究中对其进行更定量的评估。

Keywords:

• Otology
• microsurgery
• surgical microscope
• virtual reality
• robotics
• exoscope
• ergonomics

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.