Taiwanese surgeons have achieved a medical milestone by successfully extracting a complicated tumor near a patient’s heart, leveraging 3D simulated imaging technology, as revealed by the National Taiwan University Hospital (NTUH).
The 48-year-old patient had a 10-centimeter carcinoid tumor adjacent to his heart. The surgical squad, integrating talents from the Departments of Surgery and Cardiovascular Surgery, employed the 3D imaging technique for meticulous pre-op strategizing, ensuring exceptional surgical accuracy, shared Chen Jin-shing, the head of NTUH’s Surgery Department.
The 3D simulated imaging system fuses 3D printing with virtual reality. It morphs computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data into visual portrayals of the patient’s anatomy, thus augmenting surgical precision. While NTUH previously relied on 3D printing for pre-surgery plans, which was resource-intensive, this amalgamation of 3D models and virtual reality has streamlined and modernized the approach, Chen explained.
This surgical triumph stands as a testament to the capabilities of 3D simulated imaging in enhancing clinical expertise and research. Chen underscored the tech’s potential, especially in multifaceted surgeries demanding utmost precision.
As the technology permeates the medical domain, its operational costs are poised to dip, said Hong Yi-ping, a professor at National Taiwan University’s College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. This trend is anticipated to democratize access to cutting-edge healthcare for myriad patients.
In essence, this successful surgical endeavor utilizing 3D simulated imaging underscores the evolving landscape of medical technology. It promises augmented surgical precision, enriching clinical research and methodologies, heralding innovative surgical avenues.
