gms | German Medical Science

At present there doesn´t exist any system to measure distances or volume precisely in endoscopic or other restricted surgical accesses. With VCS a multipoint laser-evaluation system is tested for the first time in clinical application for ENT-surgery.

The VCS measures by means of auto recognition of laser-points in the surgical situs.

A laboratory test examines the precision and accuracy in anatomic exact models of parasinuses and the middle-ear by flexible endoscopic visualization. The real data are known as calibrated distances ( 90 pair of values). The clinical test is to prove the operative applicability and encases 32 patients. The measuring in the laboratory test showed an average aberration of 7.1%. The precision was between 0.2 and 0.5 mm. The system could be applicated in every patient. Altogether 97 measured data were collected.

The additionally time needed to install the system was less than 2 minutes. The handling of the flexible endoscope was restricted because of its length and difficult steering adjustment. Many results led to clinically relevant interpretations and operative consequences.

For first time ever VCS shows an operative applicable measuring-function for distances, surfaces and volume. The system could prove its capability in vivo. Necessary modifications for the wide application require manageable effort. There are a variety of useful application possibilities in ENT-surgery and other surgical fields.