High definition videoconferencing for remote neurosurgery training
22 Sept 2006 Windermere, UK. High definition videoconferencing systems
have been used in a ground-breaking way to deliver a trainee surgeons’
workshop based on a live operation at the autumn conference of the The
Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SNBS), It demonstrated new
techniques for endoscopic transnasal transphenoidal surgery for the
treatment of a brain tumour. The systems were also used to deliver
presentations to the conference by neurological experts from remote
locations. Hosted by the Preston unit of the SBNS and held in Windermere
in North West England during the week of the 4th September 2006, the
conference is a high-profile and well attended conference that is designed
to enable specialists in this field to jointly develop best practice for the
diagnosis and treatment of a range of neurological conditions.
Supplied by Questmark, the systems selected were the LifeSize Room,
connected over the internet between the conference centre, Questmark’s
offices and the operating theatre at the hospital in North West England.
These systems were selected to provide the best possible video and audio
communications between the conference centre and the operating theatre to
enable attendees at the conference to view the operation, see the images
clearly, and to interact with the team in the operating theatre throughout
the operative procedure. The results were impressive and most attendees
agreed that this was a tremendous benefit to their attendance at and
participation in the overall conference. “The quality of the images and
the ability to interact naturally with the surgeon and his team undertaking
the procedure ensured this was an extremely valuable session for all
conference attendees,” said Mr Aprajay Golash, Consultant Neurosurgeon
responsible for organising the telemedicine content within the conference
agenda. “The support provided by Questmark in the planning and delivery of
this conference was excellent,” continued Mr Golash. Questmark has
supported the development of uses of videoconferencing in neurological care
through its work with the Teleneurology Service run by Professor Victor
Patterson from the Royal Group of Hospitals in Northern Ireland. The extent
of this work is described in the recently published book by Victor,
Teleneurology, published by Royal Society of Medicine Press Ltd and
sponsored by Questmark. The conference gave the Society the opportunity to
share this pioneering work by Victor and to use high definition
videocommunications for the live link from the operating theatre. “We are
only pleased to be able to engage with the UK’s pioneering healthcare
professionals in the development and delivery of programmes like this,”
commented Stephen Bell, Healthcare Manager from Questmark. “Events like this
help the NHS and the videoconferencing industry to develop and adopt best
practice around the use of this technology to deliver direct benefits to
patients and the professionals involved in their care programmes”.
To top
|