BACKGROUNDThe operating microscopes have been applied to modern surgery for nearly a century. However, generations of microsurgeons have to flex their necks and fix their eyes on the eyepieces of a microscope continually that leads to physical and mental fatigue during a long operation. Stereoscopic three-dimensional (3D) media provides more ergonomic working environment, subsequently, resulting better performance in tasks and more accurate judgment. In this study, an alternative method of magnification was analyzed using a three-dimensional microsurgical video system and compared with the traditional method under microscopy to evaluate the availability and feasibility of a 3D microsurgical video system for microvascular anastomosis.

METHODSForty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups with each of 10. In 20 rats, 10 femoral artery anastomoses with a conventional microscope (arterial microscope group) were compared with that of 10 femoral artery anastomoses with a 3D microsurgical video system (arterial 3D group). For the other 20 rats, 10 femoral vein anastomoses using a conventional microscope (venous microscope group) were compared with that of 10 femoral vein anastomoses using a 3D microsurgical video system (venous 3D group). The arterial and venous microscope groups were considered to be the control groups. The arterial and venous 3D groups were the experimental groups. The examined criteria were as follows: anastomotic time, patency right after the procedure and 10 days later, number of sutures, vessel caliber, and pathological features.

RESULTSThere were no differences between the operating equipment with respect to vessel caliber, anastomotic time, patency rate, number of sutures, and pathological changes in either the small arteries or veins. The average arterial anastomotic time of the arterial microscope group and arterial 3D group was 34.21 and 33.87 minutes, respectively (P > 0.05). The average venous anastomotic time of the venous microscope group and venous 3D group was 29.95 and 31.50 minutes, respectively (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSA small vessel anastomosis can be performed successfully with the help of a 3D display system. Although the vascular anastomotic time did not demonstrate a significant difference between the groups, the 3D microsurgical video system offers another option to improve the working environment for surgeons. Further development of our 3D monitoring system should focus on a higher resolution and better flexibility.