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Ann Thorac Surg 2004;78:2149
© 2004 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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New technology

INVITED COMMENTARY

Department of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery Albert Einstein College of Medicine Montefiore Medical Center 3400 Bainbridge Ave, 5th Fl Suite 5B Bronx, NY 10467, USA

jgold{at}montefiore.org

Kanani and colleagues describe an elegant system for capturing, editing, and archiving digital video images to supplement the medical records of patients undergoing surgery for congenital cardiac defects. They underscore the "simplicity" of the system, the broad based and enthusiastic support of clinical team, and the great utility of being able to review the images over time. The hardware, software, and personnel support are well described, and all of the necessary details for a "do it yourself" system are included.

There is little question that images can supplement (or perhaps ultimately replace) written operative reports, documenting the anatomy and fine details of complex procedures. In many centers, still photographs and video are used with varying frequency for a combination of academic and documentation purposes. The ultimate applicability in a broad scale will truly relate to the costs associated with production and archiving weighed against the frequency of use of the stored material and the extent of truly valuable information obtained. As in many instances, this will likely vary greatly from center to center and from surgeon to surgeon, and will likely improve over time as the image acquisition systems become easier to use and the editing systems more intuitive.

One can easily imagine the great educational and research potential of such an archive. In addition, to the clinical utility for the interpretation of postoperative imaging studies and in the event of sequential or staged surgical procedures. As such, the standardization of image quality and storage formats will enhance utility in the event the images need to be shared or used in a different setting. Lest we not forget, the maintenance of patient confidentiality and the overall security and stability of these images will have to be seriously considered if this type of technology transitions from a "cameo event" to a "standard of practice." Ready, roll-em.....action!

Related Article

Method and Value of Digital Recording of Operations for Congenital Heart Disease

Mazyar Kanani, Ergin Kocyildirim, Gordon Cohen, Kieran Bentham, and Martin J. Elliott
Ann. Thorac. Surg. 2004 78: 2146-2149. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

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				F. H. Cheema, D. L. Colman, T. P. Martens, and V. K. Topkara Digital Recording of Operations Ann. Thorac. Surg., January 1, 2006; 81(1): 408 - 409. [Full Text] [PDF]

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gold, J. P. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Gold, J. P. Related Collections Education Related Article