A Novel Innovation for Surgical Flap Markings Using Projected Stencils

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Surgical Innovation
• Medical Education

Background:

• Traditional surgical markings rely on manual estimation, lacking precision for complex flap geometries.
• Existing methods for surgical planning and marking have remained largely unchanged for centuries.
• The need for improved accuracy in plastic and reconstructive surgery is critical for optimal patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel method for accurate surgical flap marking using pico-projector technology.
• To compare the precision of projected flaps versus hand-drawn flaps in plastic surgery.
• To explore the potential of this technology as an educational tool for surgical training.

Main Methods:

• A pico-projector was used to project computer-aided designs (Google Sketchup) of surgical flaps onto cadavers.
• Pre-designed rhomboid and bilobed flaps were projected and compared to traditional hand-drawn markings.
• Quantitative and qualitative assessments were performed to evaluate flap accuracy and replication.

Main Results:

• Projected flaps showed significantly higher accuracy and reproducibility compared to hand-drawn flaps.
• Both quantitative measurements and qualitative assessments favored the precision of the projected flap method.
• The technique proved effective for both rhomboid and bilobed flap geometries.

Conclusions:

• Pico-projector-based surgical marking offers a significant advancement over traditional methods for plastic and reconstructive surgery.
• This technology enhances the accuracy of flap replication, potentially improving surgical results.
• The method serves as a valuable educational tool for training surgeons in precise flap design and placement.