Thanks to the recent advances in computer technology, surgical procedures – even complicated and potentially risky ones – are now safer and more accurate than ever. Physicians and other medical professionals use many different kinds of medical software for a myriad of applications, but surgical software is one of the most exciting and important types available. Some programs even allow surgeons to input each patient’s unique anatomical data and background information, enabling them to, in essence, perform the surgery on the computer before they proceed with “the real thing.”
One such program, called Surgem, has helped to revolutionize the world of cardiac surgery in children. Surgem lets the physician create a detailed three-dimensional model of the patient’s heart using information gleaned from MRI scans. The physician then uses 3D trackers to manually rotate, twist and otherwise manipulate the virtual heart in order to gain a better understanding of the challenges they will face in the operating room, as well as the best possible surgical solutions for the patient. This kind of “image-based surgical planning” has made cardiac surgery in children more effective, less time-consuming, and far less risky. In fact, it would hardly be an exaggeration to say that Surgem has saved many lives!
Despite all their careful planning and intimate knowledge of anatomy, there is always a certain amount of guesswork involved in any surgery. Thankfully, this new type of medical software can help eliminate much of that guessing and save valuable time in the operating room, while at the same time allowing surgeons to proceed confidently toward their goal of saving and enriching the lives of their patients. Software like Surgem can even help doctors predict post-surgical side effects and recovery time – information which can further be used to help the patient recover quickly and completely. More than a mere surgical aid, these programs are true lifesavers and an absolutely essential first step in the process for many prudent physicians.