3D virtual rendering in thoracoscopic treatment of congenital malformation of the lung
F Destro, M Maffi, Tommaso Gargano, Giovanni Ruggeri, Luc Soler, Manuele Bandeira De Andrade Lima · Archivio istituzionale della ricerca (Alma Mater Studiorum Università di Bologna) · 2013
Introduction: Congenital malformations of the lung (CML) are rare but potentially dangerous congenital malformations. Their identification is important in order to define the most appropriate management. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 37 patients affected by CML treated in our Pediatric Surgery Unit in the last four years with minimally invasive surgery (MIS). Results: Prenatal diagnosis was possible in 26/37 patients. Surgery was performed in the first month of life in 3 symptomatic patients and between 6 and 12 months in the others. All patients underwent radiological evaluation prior to thoracoscopic surgery. Images collected were reconstructed using the VR render software. Discussion and conclusions: Volume rendering gives high anatomical resolution and it can be useful to guide the surgical procedure. Thoracoscopy should be the technique of choice because it is safe, effective and feasible. Furthermore it has the benefit of a minimal access technique and it can be easily performed in children.