Application of Real-Time Augmented Reality Laparoscopic Navigation in Splenectomy for Massive Splenomegaly

Laparoscopic right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma via anterior approach with augmented reality navigation: a feasibility study

BACKGROUND

Right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy is the appropriate procedure for type IIIa or partial type II pCCA. However, the laparoscopic implementation of this procedure remains technically challenging, especially hilar vascular dissection and en bloc resection of the total caudate lobe. Augmented reality navigation can provide intraoperative navigation to enhance visualization of invisible hilar blood vessels and guide the parenchymal transection plane.

METHODS

Eleven patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy from January 2021 to January 2023 were enrolled in this study. Augmented reality navigation technology and the anterior approach were utilized in this operation. Routine operative and short-term postoperative outcomes were assessed to evaluate the feasibility of the novel navigation method in this operation.

RESULTS

Right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy was successfully performed in all 11 enrolled patients. Among the 11 patients, the mean operation time was 454.5 ± 25.0 min and the mean estimated blood loss was 209.1 ± 56.1 ml. Negative surgical margins were achieved in all patients. The postoperative course of all the patients was uneventful, and the mean length of postoperative hospital stay was 10.5 ± 1.2 days.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopic right hemi-hepatectomy plus total caudate lobectomy via the anterior approach may be feasible and safe for pCCA with the assistance of augmented reality navigation.

A High-Speed Hyperspectral Laparoscopic Imaging System

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has expanded broadly in the field of abdominal and pelvic surgery. Laparoscopic and robotic surgery has improved surgeon ergonomics, instrument precision, operative time, and postoperative recovery across various abdominal procedures. The goal of this study is to establish the feasibility of implementing high-speed hyperspectral imaging into a standard laparoscopic setup and exploring its benefit to common intracorporeal procedures. A hyperspectral laparoscopic imaging system was constructed using a customized hyperspectral camera alongside a standard rigid laparoscope and was validated for both spectral and spatial accuracy. Demosaicing methods were investigated for improved full-resolution visualization. Hyperspectral cameras with different spectral ranges were considered and compared with one another alongside two different light sources to determine the most effective configuration. Finally, different porcine tissues were imaged ex-vivo to test the capabilities of the system and spectral footprints of the various tissues were extracted. The tissue was also imaged in a phantom to simulate the system's use in MIS. The results demonstrated a hyperspectral laparoscopic imaging system that could provide quantitative, diagnostic information while not disrupting normal workflow nor adding excessive weight to the laparoscopic setup. The high-speed hyperspectral laparoscopic imaging system can have immediate applications in image-guided surgery.

Augmented reality navigation facilitates laparoscopic removal of foreign body in the pancreas that cause chronic complications

BACKGROUND

Foreign bodies that enter the pancreas and cause chronic complications cannot be removed by endoscopy. Surgical removal is necessary but also challenging. The development of augmented reality navigation has made it possible to accurate intraoperative navigation in laparoscopic surgery.

METHODS

A 37-year-old female had epigastric pain for 3 months and her abdominal CT showed a linear high-density shadow in her pancreas along with chronic pancreatitis. Three-dimensional models of the liver, pancreas, stomach, blood vessels, and foreign body were created based on CT images. Gastroptosis was found in the three-dimensional models, so surgical approach was adapted to open the hepatogastric ligament to reach the pancreas. After 2-3 s of video images were captured by 3D laparoscopy, a three-dimensional dense stereo-reconstruction method was used to obtain the surface model of pancreas, stomach, and blood vessels. The Globally Optimal Iterative Closest Point method was used to obtain a spatial transformation matrix between the preoperative CT image space and the intraoperative laparoscopic space. Under augmented reality navigation guidance, the position and location of the foreign body were displayed on the surface of the pancreas. Then intraoperative ultrasound was used for further verification and to quickly and easily confirm the surgical entrance. After minimal dissection and removal of the pancreatic parenchyma, the foreign body was removed completely.

RESULTS

The operation time was 60 min, the estimated blood loss was 10 ml. The foreign body was identified as a 3-cm-long fishbone. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on the third postoperative day.

CONCLUSION

Because it enables direct visual navigation via simple operation, ARN facilitates the laparoscopic removal of foreign bodies in the pancreas with accurate and rapid positioning and minimal damage.