PhD defence W. (Wouter) Bakhuis

Brief summary:

In this dissertation, an introduction is first provided on techniques in cardiothoracic surgery for preoperative planning, such as echocardiography, CT, and MRI. The role of VR visualization is explored, aiming to evaluate the added value of 3D VR in this context. This is followed by an overview of VR simulation and preoperative planning, discussing the advantages of VR alongside traditional CT images. Subsequently, the added value is examined specifically for each subspecialty (congenital and adult heart and lung surgery). For instance, the application of 3D VR in patients with Double Outlet Right Ventricle (DORV) is discussed, where VR aids in visualizing complex anatomies. The use of VR in Major Aortopulmonary Collateral Arteries (MAPCAs) is addressed, resulting in improved surgical planning. The benefits of 3D VR in congenital lung abnormalities are investigated, leading to greater consensus between radiologists and surgeons. The use of VR for closing paravalvular leaks is analyzed, resulting in better decisions regarding plug sizes. Several case reports and case series are described, detailing complex heart surgeries or complex segment resections, or instances where multiple visualization techniques were used for translobar venous drainage during planning. The first fifty segment resections from Erasmus MC are analyzed, showing a remarkable 52% change in the surgical plan after viewing the 3D VR visualization compared to the 2D CT representation. This is ultimately concluded with the presentation of a research plan to replicate this study in a multicenter trial involving eight different hospitals in the Netherlands.