Advancements in surgical skills through short-term training with surgical 3D exoscopes

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Since the late 1960s, the surgical microscope has served as a fundamental instrument in neurosurgery and is still vital to the microsurgical management of diseases of the brain and spine. The invention of the operating microscope (OM) changed modern neurosurgery due to its capacity to depict in exquisite detail the neurovascular microstructures, which transcends non-magnified stereoscopic vision. The introduction of 3D exoscopes into surgical practice has transformed micro neurosurgery by improving vision and procedural accuracy. In the treatment of brain tumours, skull base surgery, aneurysm clipping, and complex spine surgery of the cervical and lumbar regions, exoscopes are a safe and useful supplement to the current binocular surgical microscope. Neurosurgeons will likely usher in a new era of neurosurgery tools and techniques. In recent years, the emergence of 3D exoscopes has drastically altered the area of micro-neurosurgery. These enhanced visualization technologies provide better depth perception and magnification than standard microscopes, improving surgical precision and results. However, competency in utilizing these exoscopes necessitates sufficient training in order to efficiently negotiate the learning curve. This letter investigates the effectiveness of short-term training programs in improving surgical abilities with 3D exoscopes.