Evaluation of a 3D system based on a high-quality flat screen and polarized glasses for use by surgical assistants during robotic surgery

INTRODUCTION: One of the main benefits of robotic surgery is the surgeon's three-dimensional (3D) vision system. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of 3D vision using a flat screen and polarized glasses for surgical skills during robotic surgeries. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an experimental model, six surgeons performed three surgical tasks with laparoscopic devices using a standard 2D and a flat-screen 3D model with polarized glasses. Performance times were compared between two-dimensional (2D) and 3D vision for each task. The surgeons also graded the efficiency of the 3D system, on a subjective scale of 0-100. RESULTS: Performance times for task 1 (seven holes) and 2 (elastic bands) were significantly reduced by 84% and 56% using 3D compared with a 2D system and experienced surgeons performed all three tasks faster in 3D than 2D. The surgeons reported the polarized glasses were comfortable to wear and direct vision was seldom affected. CONCLUSIONS: The use of 3D visualization seems to improve the efficiency of surgical skills during robotic surgery and reduce performance time for characteristic surgical procedure tasks.