Technology and orthopaedic surgeons

Impact of 3D printing on Orthopedic Surgery in India: Has the Technology Really Arrived!

Surgical innovations have driven advancements in patient care, leading to improved surgical results and decreased patient morbidity. The integration of new technical advancements in orthopedic surgery is linked to the clinical advantages, ethical challenges, financial factors, and its broader influence on the global health-care sector [1]. 3D printing in orthopedic surgery is a developing technique that is rapidly gaining recognition and positively impacting patient results. The widespread influence and usefulness of 3D printing in orthopedics have been confirmed through reports detailing its application in complex trauma, complex hip revision surgeries, and various other areas such as complex spine deformity for pedicle screw trajectory guides, 3D printed implants, and bio-scaffolds [2-5]. The amount of scientific literature on the use of 3D printing in orthopedics has significantly increased in the past decade, both internationally and in India [6]. However, it has this quickly rising trend in the field of orthopedic surgery “really arrived in India.”

Artificial intelligence-based orthopaedic perpetual design

Background and aims

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies in orthopaedic surgeries is becoming increasingly important as it optimises implant designs and treatment procedures. This research article introduces an innovative approach using an AI-driven algorithm, focusing on the humerus bone anatomy. The primary focus of this work is to determine implant dimensions tailored to individual patients.

Methodology

We have utilised Python's DICOM library, which extracts rich information from medical images obtained through CT and MRI scans. The algorithm generates precise three-dimensional reconstructions of the bone, enabling a comprehensive understanding of its morphology.

Results

Using algorithms that reconstructed 3D bone models to propose optimal implant geometries that adhere to patients' unique anatomical intricacies and cater to their functional requirements. Integrating AI techniques promotes enhanced implant designs that facilitate enhanced integration with the host bone, promoting improved patient outcomes.

Conclusion

A notable breakthrough in this research is the ability of the algorithm to predict implant physical dimensions based on CT and MRI data. The algorithm can infer implant specifications that align with patient-specific bone characteristics by training the AI model on a diverse dataset. This approach could revolutionise orthopaedic surgery, reducing patient waiting times and the duration of medical interventions.

A virtual reality simulation of a novel way to illuminate the surgical field - A feasibility study on the use of automated lighting systems in the operating theatre

Introduction

Surgical lighting systems have to be re-adjusted manually during surgery by the medical personnel. While some authors suggest that interaction with a surgical lighting system in the operating room might be a distractor, others support the idea that manual interaction with the surgical lighting system is a hygiene problem as pathogens might be present on the handle. In any case, it seems desirable to develop a novel approach to surgical lighting that minimizes the need for manual interaction during a surgical procedure.

Methodes

We investigated the effect of manual interaction with a classical surgical lighting system and simulated a proposed novel design of a surgical lighting system in a virtual reality environment with respect to performance accuracy as well as cognitive load (measured by electroencephalographical recordings).

Results

We found that manual interaction with the surgical lights has no effect on the quality of performance, yet for the price of a higher mental effort, possibly leading to faster fatigue of the medical personnel in the long run.

Discussion

Our proposed novel surgical lighting system negates the need for manual interaction and leads to a performance quality comparable to the classical lighting system, yet with less mental load for the surgical personnel.