Computation and visualization of uncertainty in surgical navigation. Issue 3 (3rd October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simpson, Amber L.; Ma, Burton; Vasarhelyi, Edward M.; Borschneck, Dan P.; Ellis, Randy E.; James Stewart, A.
• Is Part Of: International journal of medical robotics and computer assisted surgery. Volume 10:Issue 3(2014)
• Page Start: 332
• Page End: 343
• Publication Date: 2013-10-03
• Subjects: Robotics in medicine -- Periodicals; Surgery -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Imaging systems in medicine -- Periodicals; 617.90285
• DOI: 10.1002/rcs.1541
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1478-5951

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="rcs1541-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Surgical displays do not show uncertainty information with respect to the position and orientation of instruments. Data is presented as though it were perfect; surgeons unaware of this uncertainty could make critical navigational mistakes.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1541-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>The propagation of uncertainty to the tip of a surgical instrument is described and a novel uncertainty visualization method is proposed. An extensive study with surgeons has examined the effect of uncertainty visualization on surgical performance with pedicle screw insertion, a procedure highly sensitive to uncertain data.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1541-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>It is shown that surgical performance (time to insert screw, degree of breach of pedicle, and rotation error) is not impeded by the additional cognitive burden imposed by uncertainty visualization.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcs1541-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>Uncertainty can be computed in real time and visualized without adversely affecting surgical performance, and the best method of uncertainty visualization may depend upon the type of navigation display. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>