This systematic review assesses the effectiveness of objective technical skills assessment tools for laparoscopic cholecystectomy, highlighting gaps in validation. Manual assessment tools have the most validity evidence but inconsistent reliability and no clear outcome correlations. Kinematic tools provide motion data but lack robust validation. AI-based systems show promise for real-time use, specifically for critical view […]
Category: Digital Surgery and Telemedicine
Video-Assisted Informed Consent Saves Surgeon Time
Using video-assisted informed consent significantly reduces physician consultation time without compromising patient understanding or satisfaction. For cholecystectomy, median consultation time dropped from 8.1 to 1.5 minutes; for colon resection, from 11.9 to 3.3 minutes. Patient understanding and satisfaction remained high across both methods, with strong physician satisfaction noted for the video-assisted approach. Incorporating video into […]
Smart Glasses Improve Surgical Training in Hernia Repair
Smart glasses-assisted telementoring significantly enhances procedural accuracy in inguinal hernia repairs by facilitating real-time mentoring. Local anesthesia administration accuracy improved from 26.7% to 93.3% when using telementoring (p=0.001). Surgical decision-making was influenced positively in 93.3% of telementored cases, with mentees reporting increased confidence (100%). These findings suggest that smart glasses could be a valuable tool […]
AI Model Accurately Detects Surgical Site Infections from Images
A deep learning model demonstrates strong potential for detecting surgical site infections (SSIs) from wound photographs, which could enhance postoperative monitoring and early diagnosis. The model achieved an AUC of 0.91 for internal validation and 0.82 for external validation, indicating high accuracy in identifying wound infections. Automated image analysis could reduce the burden of manual […]
Tele-Robotic Surgery Shows Feasibility in Combat Scenarios
Tele-robotic surgery can be effectively performed over satellite communications, with experienced surgeons adapting to increased latency, making it a viable option for combat casualty care. A total latency of 78 to 378 ms was simulated; performance was consistent, showing no significant decline in task execution despite increased latency. General surgeon experience correlated with better performance […]
AI System Accurately Triages Ostomy Photos from Patients
An AI pipeline effectively categorizes patient-submitted ostomy photos, improving triage efficiency. 43.9% of 538 images were deemed to have obstructed views, while 5.6% were healthy. The best model, Clip-ViT, achieved an impressive area under the curve of 0.99 and precision of 0.87. This technology has potential to streamline post-operative care by prioritizing cases requiring in-person […]
AI Transforms Preoperative Risk Assessment in Surgery
Artificial intelligence can enhance risk assessment in surgery by analyzing complex datasets, improving outcomes for patients. Machine learning algorithms effectively predict postoperative mortality and major adverse cardiovascular events. Predicting technical complications like anastomotic leaks is more challenging with current data. Surgeons should view AI as a tool for informed decision-making, not a replacement for clinical […]
AI Research Lags Behind Growth of Ambulatory Surgery Centers
Surgeons need to address a significant gap in AI research affecting patient care in ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs). Over 60% of elective surgeries occur in ASCs, yet fewer than 10 studies focus on AI in these settings compared to over 500 in hospitals. Existing ASC research primarily targets workflow optimization, with no focus on intraoperative […]
Automated Quality Assessment in Distal Gastrectomy
A new computer vision model shows that the Critical View of Quality (CVQ) can enhance lymphadenectomy quality in gastric cancer surgery. CVQ correlates positively with lymph node yield (r=0.485, p<0.001), with retrieval increasing from 28.9 to 47.6 nodes across quartiles (p<0.001). Lower CVQ scores link to older age, higher BMI, ASA classification, male sex, and […]
Governance Framework for AI in Surgery Established
A new framework guides the ethical adoption of AI in surgical practice. AI-enabled decision support systems can now match or exceed human performance in certain tasks. A 19-item consensus framework developed through expert consensus highlights key governance areas: technical design, implementation, ethics, and bias. Addressing these themes is crucial for ensuring AI adoption enhances care […]