The technology aims to make robotic-assisted thoracic surgery more efficient and precise, according to a Jan. 30 news release from Emory University.
The team, led by Manu Sancheti, MD, Emory Healthcare’s director of robotic thoracic surgery, is the third in the U.S. to use the Intuitive 3D Modeling software, the release said.
The software creates a 3D lung model based on a patient’s CT scan. Surgeons can see the size, location and proportions of tumors within the lungs to not only plan the procedure but to help guide the operation as it is performed.
Utilizing the technology has cut down surgery length and reduced complications, as the 3D imaging minimizes the amount of lung tissue removed while still providing “an appropriate operation for the patient,” the release said.
Dr. Sancheti said the team hopes to expand the tool across the Emory Healthcare system for other surgeries and illnesses.
