INDIVIDUAL ASSESSMENT OF VISUAL-PERCEPTION BY SURGEONS OBSERVING THE SAME LAPAROSCOPIC ORGANS WITH VARIOUS IMAGING-SYSTEMS

Laparoscopic surgery necessitates that operations be performed via a t elevision screen; therefore, image quality is crucial in determining t he final outcome. Electronic imaging systems are constantly undergoing revisions and incorporating new ideas. Recently, we have been confron ted with a variety of systems, and we, as operators, have no idea what the differences are between the old and the newer systems. As clinici ans, we have no electronic yardstick available to compare the options presented or to check the specifications. This study examines critical aspects of image perception. General surgeons, gynecologists, operati ng room nurses, as well as allied health personnel all experienced in laparoscopic surgery participated as test subjects. A blinded study wa s performed in which various camera systems (single chip, three-chip, digitized and nondigitized) were displayed in random fashion. Porcine abdominal areas were displayed using the various imaging units. Partic ipants graded image perception based on the following characteristics: sharpness, color, contrast, and depth of field. The audience were bli nded to the types, brand, and number of cameras utilized. A significan t preference was shown for digitized systems (P < 0.0001). Also, digit ized single-chip cameras scored higher than three-chip cameras (P < 0. 05). We propose thorough testing by surgeons and nursing personnel bef ore deciding what type of equipment to purchase.