Computer model for searching an optimal instruments placement in miniivasive thoracic surgery

Introduction. In present days in surgery there is a clear trend to increasing of miniinvasive operations. So the thoracic surgery is not an exception. These operations provides to patients better cosmetic effect, faster recovery of common physical activity and has lower morbidity. But thoracoports placement often based only on surgeons experience, and doesn9t have any objective criteria. Using criteria of operation access, there arise an opportunity for choosing optimal thoracoports placement on the chest wall. Objectives. We try to establish optimal thoracoports placement points for performing operational interventions on certain organs of chest, before operation, using criteria of operational access. Methods. Using criteria: “Operational action angle” (OAA) and “Depth of soft tissues” (DST) our team attempted to create a computer model. This model allows to calculate the values of criteria (OAA, DST) of every patient on digital reconstructions of CT scans of chest on expected object of intervention. It was created in MeVisLab program with use of DICOM pack of images from computed tomography scanner. The program permits to replace virtual manipulators on the surface or chest for choosing optimal manipulators placement, which defined with combining of OAA and DST in the insertion point. Results. We have created a computer model allowing to find an optimal placement of surgical instruments on chest wall for performing miniinvasive operations on certain targets in chest. Conclusions. Our computer model for searching optimal thoracoports in chest wall for miniinvasive thoracic surgery is used objective, measurable criteria and it would potentially improve and ease the work of surgeon.