Liver surgery training and planning in 3D virtual space

• Published in: International Congress series 2004-06, Vol.1268, p.390-394
• Main Authors: Sojar, V, Stanisavljević, D, Hribernik, M, Glušič, M, Kreuh, D, Velkavrh, U, Fius, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Liver surgery planning; Surgery simulation; Three-dimensional reconstruction; Virtual liver surgery
• ISSN: 0531-5131; 1873-6157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ics.2004.03.332

Liver surgery is still one of the most demanding fields in surgery, and planning a liver resection always presents a challenge for a surgeon. Many authors have already described three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of conventional computer tomography (CT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) scans, which enable precise surgery planning. But while the reconstruction can be seen, the user cannot simulate surgery. The ultimate goal has been to produce 3D reconstructions of the conventional CT or NMR slices and thus virtual environment that allows planning and simulation of the surgical procedure. The project of developing a computer program for planning and simulating liver surgery had three steps: The first step was creating a 3D virtual liver and virtual environment. The second step was developing the method to reconstruct the liver from conventional CT scans. The final step was transferring the data obtained to the previously created virtual environment for manipulation. The result of this process is a liver surgery educational tool, which produces a virtual environment using PC based software. It provides the opportunity to manipulate a 3D liver and it is tool for studying the internal liver structures for all four vessels systems. The virtual environment portrays a detailed liver segmentation. The program's most important function is allowing the opportunity to perform virtual intraoperative ultra sound on a virtual liver. The virtual liver can be dissected; the vessels can be clipped, ligated and cut. The program for 3D reconstruction from conventional CT scans has been developed so that the obtained data may be used for simulated surgery in the virtual environment. The virtual liver of the real patient has the capacity to be manipulated, cut, dissected; moreover, the intraoperative ultra sound can be performed as in the real surgery. First simulations have shown clear benefits in planning liver surgery. The rapid development of computer technology offers many possibilities in education and surgery planning. The group successfully developed the PC based application for surgery planning and simulation in virtual environment as well as for educational purposes.