Developing a virtual Endoscopic Surgery Planning system to optimize surgical outcomes

Abstract Objective Planning and predicting functional outcomes of endoscopic sinus surgeries (e.g., nasal airflow) based solely on visualizing Computerized Tomography (CT) or endoscopy poses a challenge to produce optimal clinical outcomes. Study design Technology development, retrospective case report. Methods A virtual surgery planning (VSP) tool is developed that can load any patient’s CT data and allow surgeons to remove obstructive tissue using both visual and haptic feedback endoscopically. Pre-calculated airflow resistance, wall shear stress, pressure drop are displayed on the anatomy to identify potential sites of obstruction. After each virtual surgery, changes in nasal airflow can be computed, and the process is reiterated until an optimal result is reached. Results As proof-of-concept, a series of isolated or combined procedures were performed on CT of one patient, who had olfactory losses that may involve obstructions blocking the air/odor flow to the olfactory fossa (OF). For this patient, an isolated medial partial middle turbinectomy (PMT) demonstrated the best outcome, better than traditionally performed lateral PMT, while septal body reduction worsened air/odor flow to OF. Conclusion This proof of concept case report demonstrates the potential usefulness of VSP in preoperative planning based on objective benchmarks and could be a valuable tool for optimizing future surgical outcomes.