Three-dimensional video imaging for endoscopic surgery.

Recently a number of manufacturers have developed three-dimensional (3-D) video systems which significantly improve visualization and enhance the ability of the surgeon to perform delicate endoscopic dissection and suturing. These 3-D video systems may also improve the education of surgeons-in-training as they would have a better understanding of three-dimensional anatomy during laparoscopic surgery. Most of the 3-dimensional stereoendoscopic video systems currently available have four basic principles of stereoendoscopic image processing in common: image capture, conversion of 60-120 Hz images; presentation of left and right images on a single monitor; and separation of the left and right eye images. Skill tests performed assessing laparoscopic suturing and knot tying have demonstrated a 25% increase in speed and accuracy of these laparoscopic tasks when utilizing a three-dimensional video imaging greatly facilitates the efficiency of endoscopic reconstructive procedures. While three-dimensional video imaging systems are more costly than conventional two-dimensional video equipment, the enhanced depth perception produced by 3-D endoscopes has been demonstrated to improve the performance of minimally invasive surgical procedures.