Virtual surgery on real patients helps training

The Integrated Environment for Rehearsal And Planning of Surgical Interventions (IERAPSI) initiative consists of Tempo Reality, a simulator that combines sight and touch and, and Tempo Review, a 3D visualisation and pre-operative planning application. Both systems use patient-specific data from Computed Tomography (CT) scanners.

Professor Nigel John, IERAPSI Project Coordinator at the University of Manchester, said: “When surgeons are learning to be surgeons, the old training adage was ‘see one, do one, teach one’. Obviously, this wasn’t always ideal for the first patient of a new surgeon. So this ability to do the initial assessment and practice in a virtual reality environment is a great advantage."

“This is a real advanced on earlier virtual reality approaches as the data used for 3D visualisation is derived from CT and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans of the actual patient to be operated on. This allows the surgeon to prepare for the operation and rehearse the actual procedure before entering the operating theatre."

“These systems are likely to become more widespread, even if only for the training application alone. Their uses as a practical aid are obvious – as a way of preparing for individual operations, but also for testing surgical skills."

One vital development has been faithful reproduction of forces and pressure; for instance, a surgeon can feel the same subtle differences between drill bits in the virtual environment as he does in the actual. “Using Tempo Reality gives the surgeon the same feeling as if he is drilling into the real bone," says Professor John.

An early prototype of the project showed a PC-based system with an attachment that could works as a scalpel, drill or other implement on the virtual ‘patient’ on the screen. The system is not fully immersive, and no special helmet, suit or electronic gloves are involved. However, full details of the final implementation were unavailable at time of going to press.

The EU Framework Programme funds research into technology in health and society, as well as nanotechnology, aeronautics and sustainable development. The IERAPSI initiative was made possible by a grant of €2.1m (£1.4m) from the programme.