Operating Room Stencil: A Novel Mobile Application for Surgical Planning

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Surgical Technology
• Medical Education

Background:

• Traditional preoperative markings for soft tissue reconstruction rely on freehand techniques, posing challenges for surgical trainees.
• Consistency and accuracy in flap marking are crucial for successful surgical outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Operating Room Stencil, a novel mobile application for digital preoperative flap marking.
• To provide an accessible and educational tool for planning soft tissue reconstruction.

Main Methods:

• Development of a cost-free mobile application for digital surgical planning.
• Integration of features for plotting relaxed skin tension lines on facial images.
• Inclusion of educational captions for various flap types.

Main Results:

• Operating Room Stencil enables digital projection of flap markings onto contoured surfaces.
• The application facilitates optimized scar formation and reduced wound contraction by orienting markings.
• It serves as a reliable tool for learning and practicing flap techniques.

Conclusions:

• Operating Room Stencil enhances the precision and consistency of preoperative flap markings.
• The application is valuable for both surgical trainees and experienced surgeons.
• Digital planning tools can improve visualization and execution in soft tissue reconstruction.