A comparison of laparoscopic procedures performed by novice medical students using 8K ultra-high-definition/two-dimensional and 2K high-definition/three-dimensional monitors

A multicenter survey of effects and challenges of an 8K ultra-high-definition endoscopy system compared to existing endoscopy systems for endoscopic surgery

INTRODUCTION

8K ultra-high-definition (UHD) images enabling clearer recognition of anatomical structures could contribute to further development of surgical techniques and advanced applications in endoscopic surgery fields. This study aimed to clarify effects and challenges of endoscopic surgery with 8K UHD endoscopy compared to existing endoscopy systems.

METHODS

In this multicenter, cross-sectional, questionnaire survey, data were collected from surgical participants who newly used and observed 8K UHD endoscopy in patients undergoing surgery from February 2020 to February 2021. Survey items included sense of presence, reality, depth perception, visibility of tissue, eyestrain, and degree of satisfaction for operators and observers, and weight, operability, focus adjustment, physical fatigue, eyestrain, and satisfaction for camera assistants. Participants rated each 8K UHD endoscopic surgery on a one-to-five scale (definitively inferior, relatively inferior, equivalent, relatively superior, definitively superior) compared to the existing endoscopy system of each facility.

RESULTS

Overall, questionnaire responses from 139 participants assessing 8K UHD endoscopic surgery were collected from surgeries performed in 46 patients. Respective ratings of operators and observers included sense of presence: "superior or relatively superior", 97.8% and 91.5%; reality: "superior or relatively superior", 76.1% and 72.3%; and visibility of tissue: "superior or relatively superior", 93.5% and 87.2%. Weight was rated as "inferior or relatively inferior" by 73.9% of camera assistants and focus adjustment as "inferior" by 60.9% of them.

CONCLUSIONS

8K UHD endoscopic surgery enabled identification of surgical anatomies more clearly, provided a sense of presence and reality, and might improve educational effect. Technological development is expected to reduce the burden of camera assistants.

The experience of 100 cases of 8K/two-dimensional laparoscopic colorectal surgery - The evaluation of 8K/two-dimensional laparoscopy and how to use it

Background

The resolution of 8K ultra-high-definition imaging technology (7680 × 4320 pixels) is 16-fold higher than the current high-definition technology (1920 × 1080 pixels). 8K/two-dimensional (2D) laparoscopy was clinically available in 2014, but few reports concerning its application have been published. The aim of this study was to evaluate the appropriate methods of usage and problems learned from clinical use of 8K/2D laparoscopy.

Subjects and Methods

The patients were 100 colorectal surgery patients who underwent 8K/2D laparoscopy at Asahikawa Medical University Hospital between November 2018 and March 2021. We evaluated the effectiveness, operating conditions, methods and issues of 8K/2D laparoscopy.

Results

The median age was 68.5 years. The primary disease was malignancy of the left side of the colon and rectum in 92 patients. The right-sided colectomy was performed in five cases, total proctocolectomy of ulcerative colitis was performed in 3 cases. The proper application of 8K/2D laparoscopy can be achieved by adhering to certain tips, such as darkening the operation room and keeping an appropriate distance from the monitor. Regarding intraoperative complications caused by the 8K/2D laparoscope, skin burns due to heat from the tip of the laparoscope were observed in one patient. There were no cases of complications due to the 8K/2D laparoscopy.

Conclusion

8K/2D laparoscopy can be used safely in colorectal surgery. There are still some tips for proper use, such as keeping an appropriate distance to the monitor and darkening the room. However, 8K/2D laparoscopy can provide delicate images and can be used without any operational problems.