image: Michael Khazzam, M.D. view more
Credit: UT Southwestern Medical Center
The preoperative shoulder CT scan is entered into special software, which then generates a 3D model of the patient’s anatomy. Physicians use the model to examine the patient’s anatomy, plan incision points, mark the points for the anchor pins, and adjust the prosthetic device.
“We can conduct a virtual ‘dry run,’ implanting the shoulder in the software environment so we can determine what works best for that patient’s anatomy and pathology,” Dr. Khazzam said. “Ultimately, this ‘dry run’ becomes our surgical plan.”
Wearing Microsoft HoloLens AR glasses during surgery makes it possible to see, navigate, and manipulate the entire surgical plan during the procedure. The surgeon can scroll through it and zoom while comparing the plan in real time to the patient’s anatomy. The ability to reference the plan during the operation adds another layer of checks and balances to the already highly precise shoulder replacement process.
“Research shows that 3D modeling can result in a highly accurate restoration of the patient’s anatomy and precise positioning of the implant,” said Dr. Khazzam. “AR certainly seems like a game-changing advancement for shoulder repair and replacement surgery.”
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About UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern, one of the premier academic medical centers in the nation, integrates pioneering biomedical research with exceptional clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty has received six Nobel Prizes, and includes 25 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 16 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 13 Howard Hughes Medical Institute Investigators. The full-time faculty of more than 2,800 is responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and is committed to translating science-driven research quickly to new clinical treatments. UT Southwestern physicians provide care in about 80 specialties to more than 117,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases, and oversee nearly 3 million outpatient visits a year.