Abstract:

The ever-advancing industry of modern medicine is always on the lookout for new ways of improving the educational process. The main aim is that students acquire the skill set needed for performing surgery as well as specialists to equip them with the knowledge that comes from experience of hours spent in the operating room.

Surgical skill consists of scientific, theoretical knowledge, upgraded with everyday practice in the operating room. Given the limited amount of time a student can spend in the operating room to observe the procedure first-hand, the acquisition of skills that guarantee the minimum degree of surgical competences is a difficult educational process. Video material has been shown to be very helpful in the mastering of operating techniques, and significantly accelerate the learning experience.

Considering the anatomical aspect of thyroid surgery, as the area of operation is exceptionally narrow and deep, it is the most technically demanding operation in the region of the head and neck to document with a camera.

The authors of this paper documented the process of thyroid surgery in 3D video. The material is always recorded close-up, with two side-by-side cameras, in the dynamic position of the surgeon's point of view. In the post-production faze of the project, the material is edited to emphasize the most important moments of the procedure - considering both, the specific anatomical aspects, as well as the surgeon’s technique. The material from the two cameras is then converted into 3D, which is then viewed with adequate 3D glasses.

By observing the material in 3D, the students are able to see the details concerning the depth of the incisions that are far less visible in 2D. Therefore, the educational process is more effective, as the students are able to study every cut at home - on demand.

This type of educational material would be extremely useful in countries effected by poverty and are in need of more specialized physicians equipped for the procedure of thyroid surgery. By documenting various styles of thyroid surgeries in 3D video, thus creating a video archive, in the future, physicians around the world will be able to observe real surgeries performed by colleagues on-line.

Keywords:

3D video, modern medicine, education process, thyroid surgery, distance learning.