Cambridge tech company brings new perspective to NHS surgical training
Virtual reality is allowing trainee surgeons and their peers to learn about complex surgical procedures outside the operating theatre.
St Mark's National Bowel Hospital teamed up with Cambridge-based technology company Revolve Labs to produce the first in what it hopes is a series of immersive VR experiences that could transform how surgery is taught.
Consultant colorectal surgeon Kapil Sahnan invited the company to film a robotic pan-proctocolectomy: a five-and-a-half-hour procedure that involves removing the entire colon, rectum and anus before rerouting the small intestine through a hole in the abdomen wall where waste collects in an external pouch.
Revolve Labs, which recorded the operation using multiple 360º degree camera positions, Go Pros on the surgeons' heads and stereoscopic outputs from the Da Vinci robot, captured more than 16 hours of footage combining wide-theatre perspectives with the surgeon's own 3D view through the console.
The finished training module recreated the procedure in 3D as well as allowing VR headset wearers to switch between multiple viewpoints, access additional information and revisit different stages of the procedure.
Hamish Mackenzie, founder of Revolve Labs, said: “We were given theatre access the evening before to set everything up, including a direct feed from the robot to capture what was happening during the operation.
"Capturing clear depth and detail inside the body is technically difficult, but our software, combined with standard VR headsets, creates true 3D vision. That allows trainees to see anatomical planes and procedural steps with far greater clarity than traditional surgical videos.
“It was quite nerve-wracking as you can't ask a surgeon to stop and do another take but we wanted to test what this technology could do in a real clinical setting and it delivered."
Kapil, who is also the hospital's director of innovation, added: “We're always interested in pushing the boundaries when it comes to trying out new equipment and tech and are pleased with the results.”
The training video is primarily aimed at trainees but can be useful for anyone wishing to learn a new procedure or technique. The tool allows viewers to watch an entire procedure as well as any added commentary from anywhere in the world with a VR headset.
Gita Lingam, surgical trainee at St Mark's said: “It's potentially a huge step forward in surgical training. It will give us the opportunity to watch 3D surgical footage outside the operating theatre and revisit key steps as many times as needed.
"A huge part of surgical training is observing numerous procedures and these VR simulation modules will make it easier to do so. The hope is that this technology would enhance our ability to perform real-life procedures and thus improve patient outcomes."