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w w w. s a m c . c o m S U M M E R 2 015 H E A LT H Y S P I R I T
S P I R I T C E N T R A L
I
f you've ever been to an IMAX
theater to watch a box office hit
in 3D, you know how it differs
from the traditional big screen.
Its enhanced depth perception
makes you feel as though you can
actually reach out and touch what
you see. But 3D technology is no
longer reserved for movie goers. It's
now being used in the operating
room at Saint Agnes Medical Center,
and both patients and surgeons are
reaping the benefits.
In June, Saint Agnes became the
first hospital between Los Angeles and
San Francisco to utilize the Olympus
HD 3D Laparoscopic Surgical Video
System to perform minimally invasive
surgeries. The new technology allows
surgeons to perform procedures
with greater speed and accuracy
—shortening operating times and
improving patient outcomes.
Laparoscopic surgery is performed
through small 1-cm incisions guided
with a laparoscope, a long fiber
optic cable camera system that allows
viewing of the affected area. Until
now, the camera inside the scope
was only capable of producing two-
dimensional images.
is eliminated, making it easier for
physicians to grasp, suture, and
accurately identify tissue planes.
Dr. Lawson says the transition from
2D to 3D is revolutionary. "It's like
being blind your whole life and finally
being able to see."
In addition to dual cameras, the
3D laparoscope has a flexible tip
that allows surgeons to see beyond
the fixed angle of the 2D. In a recent
case, Dr. Lawson would have been
forced to convert to open surgery to
complete his patient's procedure had
he been using the 2D laparoscope.
"With the 3D's flexible tip, I was able
to see around the structure that was
in my way and complete the surgery
laparoscopically, resulting in a much
faster recovery for my patient."
The Olympus HD 3D System is
currently being used for gallbladder,
hernia repair, appendectomy,
colectomy, nephrectomy, and
hysterectomy surgeries.
"I anticipate in five years 2D
laparoscopy won't be available—
this (3D) will be the standard,"
Dr. Lawson says.
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"What makes the Olympus HD 3D
laparoscopic technology special is
the camera inside the scope," says
general surgeon Eleazar Lawson,
MD, of Saint Agnes Medical
Providers (SAMP). "There are actually
two cameras side by side, making
for better image quality." The two
different optical channels are then
superimposed and displayed on
the operating room monitors. When
paired with wearing 3D glasses—
just like at the movie theater—the
guess work about depth perception
in operating rooms
near you
3D technology provides surgical precision
and faster recovery times
For a complete list of SAMP physicians, please visit
www.SaintAgnesMedicalProviders.com or call (559) 450-SAMP (7267).
PHOTO
Y
PERRY
COOPER
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It's like being blind
your whole life and fnally
being able to see.
Eleazar Lawson, MD
General Surgeon
Saint Agnes Medical Providers
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