EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 20, 1997
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NEW TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS PLASTIC SURGEONS TO USE VIRTUAL REALITY IN PLANNING AND TEACHING
SAN FRANCISCO (September 20, 1997) ñ New custom software and computer technology allows plastic surgeons to transform CT and MRI data of actual patients into three-dimensional and stereoscopic images of bones and soft tissues, according to a study to be presented at the 66th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS), September 20-24 in San Francisco, Calf. With the patient's individual CT or MRI data in virtual reality, plastic surgeons now can practice surgical techniques and plan procedures before they perform surgery on the actual patient.
"This new technology gives us an excellent perception of depth," said Stephen Schendel, MD, DDS, Professor and Head, Division of Plastic Surgery, Dept. of Functional Restoration, Stanford University, and one of the authors of the study. "The resolution of the image is so high that we can see the indentations of small blood vessels and wrinkles in the skin."
While the surgical possibilities of virtual reality technology have been demonstrated in the past, the process has generally utilized standard physical data from the Virtual Man or Virtual Woman, models that have no deformities or injuries. This new custom software allows plastic surgeons to recreate three-dimensional high quality images of an actual patient's condition from CT and MRI data , showing the deformity or injury that needs to be repaired or changed.
The patient's actual bone and tissue images are incorporated into a virtual environment with a three-dimensional display technology that the surgeon views through tracked shutter glasses. The images appear as realistic objects resting on top of the workbench.
Wearing a glove that translates natural hand gestures into virtual reality, the surgeon is able to use virtual surgical instruments to manipulate the soft tissues and bones. When a bone is moved, the overlying soft tissue also changes just as it does in an actual surgical procedure.
The surgeon can use this new technology to experiment with various techniques and to determine which procedure is best for that specific patient. This kind of advance planning helps the surgeon avoid complications and provides a better outcome for the patient.
"This is not just science fiction," said Dr. Schendel. "We are already using this technology for select patients. With the necessary resources, it could soon be available for general use."
Virtual reality also holds great promise for training new surgeons. Practicing procedures in virtual reality allows them to gain the equivalent of years of valuable experience before they perform their first actual surgery.
The American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons represents 97 percent of all physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). By choosing an ASPRS member plastic surgeon who is certified by the ABPS, patients can be assured that the physician has graduated from an accredited medical school and completed at least five years of additional residency, usually three years in general surgery and two years of plastic surgery. To be certified by the ABPS, a physician must also practice plastic surgery for two years and pass comprehensive written and oral examinations. Consumers may call Plastic Surgery Information Service at 1-800-635-0635 or access the ASPRS website at www.plasticsurgery.org for informational brochures and names of qualified plastic surgeons in their areas.
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