Utility of virtual three-dimensional image analysis for laparoscopic gastrectomy conducted by trainee surgeons

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the utility the three-dimensional (3D) imaging for laparoscopic gastrectomy performed by trainee surgeons. Methods 3D-reconstruction was performed using multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) and SYNAPSE VINCENT software. Trainee surgeons made 3D-imaging and checked the anatomical structure. Thirty-three patients who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) for gastric cancer were examined. Trainees performed 19 LG, while specialists performed 14 LG. The vascular pattern and the surgical outcomes were evaluated. Result 3D imaging depicted the correct positional relationship between the gastric vasculatures and the organs. Regarding vascular pattern detected by 3D imaging, the origins of the infrapyloric artery were the right gastroepiploic artery in 12 cases (36%), the gastroduodenal artery in eight cases (24%), the bifurcation of the right gastroepiploic artery and gastroduodenal artery in seven cases (21%), and not detected in one case (3%). The types of confluence of the infrapyloric vein were the right gastroepiploic vein in 16 cases (48%), the anterior superior pancreatoduodenal vein in 10 cases (30%), and not detected in seven cases (21%). Surgical outcomes were not different between trainee group using intraoperative 3D image with the specialist in instruction group without the intraoperative 3D image. Conclusions Preoperative 3D imaging might contribute to successful and safe LG by trainee surgeons.