Up-to-date intraoperative computer assisted solutions for liver surgery

Area of Science:

• Medical technology
• Surgical innovation
• Computer science in medicine

Background:

• Preoperative computer-assisted surgical planning is established in liver surgery for patient selection, strategy, and risk assessment.
• Intraoperative computer-assisted solutions for liver surgery are less common and still under clinical evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of current intraoperative computer-assisted solutions for liver surgery.
• To discuss the benefits and challenges of integrating these technologies into clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing studies and technologies in intraoperative computer-assisted liver surgery.
• Discussion of image guidance using 2D images and 3D models for anatomical and pathological structures.
• Analysis of applications in complex hepatectomies, risk analysis, and laparoscopic procedures.

Main Results:

• Computer assistance provides valuable image guidance, aiding in complex liver resections and transplantations.
• Intraoperative computer aid is particularly beneficial in laparoscopic liver surgery due to limited visualization and haptic feedback.
• Current intraoperative solutions face challenges, including a lack of objective comparative measurements for effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• Intraoperative computer-assisted liver surgery holds significant potential for improving surgical outcomes.
• Further development and objective evaluation are needed to overcome challenges and facilitate widespread clinical adoption.