Usefulness of virtual three-dimensional image analysis in inguinal hernia as an educational tool

The pre-operative three-dimensional (3D) imaging technique has resulted in a better surgical outcome for patients and has been used as an education and diagnostic tool. However, there are no reports concerning the usefulness of the 3D imaging technique in laparoscopic transabdominal pre-peritoneal repair (TAPP) so the aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of the 3D imaging technique in laparoscopic TAPP as an educational tool for medical students.

Six (6) patients who underwent laparoscopic TAPP for inguinal hernia were enrolled in this study. 3D reconstruction was performed from pre-operative computed tomography (CT) and the usefulness of pre-operative 3D simulation compared with intra-operative laparoscopic imaging was validated. Moreover, thirty (30) medical students at the university completed a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) to determine the level of their satisfaction and understanding of anatomy resulting from the study.

The local anatomy of the patients was identified as the same during the operation as the pre-operative 3D simulation. The results of the MCQ showed that most of the medical students were extremely (23%) or very (67%) satisfied with the effect of pre-operative 3D simulation on the quality of the surgery. Moreover, most students could understand the surgery anatomy by the 3D simulation extremely well (40%) or very well (47%) and agreed on the usefulness of this procedure for learning anatomy.

Pre-operative 3D simulation increases the understanding of detailed anatomy and virtual three-dimensional image analysis in laparoscopic TAPP is useful as an educational tool for medical students.