3D- vs. 4K-display System - Influence of "State-of-the-art"-Display Technique on Surgical Performance

Modern display technique seems to optimize visualization in minimal-invasive surgery. Many systems are available right now with a fundamental difference between the passive polarizing 3-dimensional (3D) and 2-dimensional (2D) technique. Data seems to show a benefit for the 3D technique in the visualization of the operative field. This could lead to more precision in minimal-invasive surgery. 2D-systems with high resolution of 4.096 x 2.180 pixels (4K) could be a promising alternative. This study wants to evaluate if 3D- or 4K- display technique could optimize surgeons´ view and improve the performance during minimal-invasive surgery. Therefore medical students and surgeons of different experience levels will perform surgical tasks on a minimal-invasive training system.They will be randomized to use first the 3D- or the 4K-display system in the training set-up. After completing the tasks with one system the minimal-invasive training set-up will be repeated with the other display system. NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) task load index is evaluated after each round. The ability for stereoscopic vision is tested after finishing the complete training set-up with both systems. The primary outcome parameter surgical performance will be evaluated in this study defined as the performance time and the number of defined mistakes made during each task.