Can Information Technologies Give Me A "Virtual Surgery" Preview Of My Operation? - Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Advice

Can Information Technologies Give Me A "Virtual Surgery" Preview Of My Operation? - Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Advice

Can Information Technologies Give Me A "Virtual Surgery" Preview Of My Operation?

Past Versus Present Up until the true expansion of information technology and the computer age, plastic surgeons had to rely on past operation "hands on" experience in order to consider options or modifications to a standard procedure. In the same manner that all people share commonalities as well as unique differences, the field of reconstructive and cosmetic surgery continually balances "normative" standards with the particular needs and expectations of individuals.

Computer Simulated Surgery Additionally, some surgeons have invested in information technologies which allow them to model in advance the substantive effects of the planned multi-stage surgery. Software engineers worked in close conjunction with plastic surgeons in order to design applications software that would mimic "live" operating theatre conditions. The particular goal of a computer assisted virtual operation is to show a range of possible "looks" or outcomes from the intended procedure. Like turning the pages of a magazine which only features yourself, the virtual operation allows a patient to see and consider all sorts of subtle or major changes. A connected color printer can produce the full range of visual "options" which the patient can take away and become comfortable with before making a final decision.

In order to exploit this need, software engineers worked in close conjunction with plastic surgeons in order to design applications software that would mimic "live" operating theatre conditions. The particular goal of a computer assisted virtual operation is to show a range of possible "looks" or outcomes from the intended procedure. Like turning the pages of a magazine which only features yourself, the virtual operation allows a patient to see and consider all sorts of subtle or major changes. A connected color printer can produce the full range of visual "options" which the patient can take away and become comfortable with before making a final decision. " I'll take the red car" would be the equivalent product option in the auto sales world.

Customized To You Everything is customized. The patient drives the aesthetic choice process, while the plastic surgeon acts like the specialist body mechanic following a design blueprint of the patient.

On Screen "Virtual" You The viewing screen contains an as-near-to-perfect rendering of the patient. The application shows on screen the specific deformity or injury or corrective area anticipated for cosmetic surgery. By contrast, other alleged modeling software programs rely, in fact, upon standardized almost generic physical models of men and women. Such generic modeling is proximate rather than narrow and relevant to the patient, thus making clear the preference for more accurate visualization software.

Technology Credentialing In order to locate surgeons knowledgeable in these technologies, the American Board of Plastic Surgery maintains listings of credentialed physicians who are fully certified members of the American Board of Plastic Surgery association. The board can verify whether a particular doctor is presently certified or is completing training in preparation for certification.

Point And Click Using a standard mouse-cursor, the physician can point to an image on screen, such as a woman's upper arms. Cursor click to a spot above the arms and the physician can create a virtual incision which produces an on-screen change revealing the appearance of skin parting and tissue and bone exposing. Moving the virtual operation forward, the physician can now "borrow" bone and tissue or excise tissue and fat as the case requires. Finely tuned, the software indicates discrete measurement down to micrometers reflecting incision depth, layers of tissue, location of sutures, and a host of related physiological data point references important to the surgery.

Pre-Op Report Of Outcomes When the surgeon completes his virtual operation, he can now print a full report which will provide a full operation blueprint, inclusive of step-by-step methodologies along with visual references for each stage of the operation. The surgeon now has a complete game plan, with most of the key issues well understood, thereby enhances operating room efficiencies and overall patient outcomes which is critical to both reconstructive and cosmetic surgery situations.