Video-Assisted Septoplasty: The Future in Teaching Septal Surgery-A Technical Note

Area of Science:

• Otolaryngology
• Surgical Education
• Medical Device Innovation

Background:

• Septoplasty training is hindered by limited surgical site visualization for both residents and mentors.
• Conventional septoplasty techniques offer intermittent views, complicating effective teaching and learning.
• The need for enhanced visualization tools in septal surgery is critical for improving surgical outcomes and training efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate novel surgical tools for optimal visualization during septal surgery.
• To enable real-time monitoring of the surgical field without altering standard septoplasty procedures.
• To enhance the educational experience for residents and mentors in septoplasty.

Main Methods:

• A flexible high-definition endoscope was mounted onto a modified 50-mm nasal speculum.
• This setup provided real-time visualization of the surgical field on a video monitor.
• The system allowed for recording surgical steps for later educational review.

Main Results:

• The developed system facilitated continuous, real-time visualization of all surgical steps.
• Residents could observe all intranasal procedures on the monitor during live surgery.
• Mentors could effectively guide residents and provide timely, specific feedback.
• The entire septal surgery procedure could be recorded for educational purposes.

Conclusions:

• Video-assisted septoplasty significantly improves visualization during septal surgery.
• This technique enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of teaching and learning septoplasty.
• The system offers a valuable tool for surgical training, feedback, and performance review.