Many individuals harbor fear and anxiety when faced with the prospect of undergoing surgical procedures, leading them to avoid necessary treatments. However, what if I were to share an alternative perspective? Imagine a type of operating room that prioritizes patient safety and optimizes surgical procedures. These advanced facilities, known as hybrid operating rooms, represent a remarkable evolution in surgical care and patient experience.
Let’s dive in deeper to learn more about this new standard of confidence and trust in the surgical process.
What are Hybrid Operating Rooms?
A hybrid operating room, or hybrid OR, is an advanced procedural room that combines a traditional operating room with an image-guided surgery suite. This integration of various technologies allows for highly complicated and advanced surgical approaches. In addition to all traditional operating room equipment, hybrid operating rooms need control rooms, fixed and cutting-edge imaging systems, advanced integration with multiple monitors, a separate equipment storage room, and high bandwidth for connecting many sources.
Hybrid ORs are widely used in cardiac, vascular, and neurosurgical procedures. These rooms integrate interventional and surgical services, which enable them to accommodate major surgeries and surgical disciplines while obviating the requirement for patient transfer. Hybrid ORs play a vital role in the neurosurgery domain for administering spinal arthrodesis, intracranial aneurysms, and embolization.
Hybrid ORs are gaining popularity in the healthcare landscape. According to Extrapolate, the hybrid operating rooms market is estimated to be worth $3.13 billion by 2030.
How do Hybrid Operating Rooms Work?
As we know, hybrid ORs function by integrating advanced imaging capabilities with a fully functioning operating suite. The average size of a hybrid OR is approximately 1,100 square feet, which is significantly larger than a standard operating room. Efficient hybrid operating room requirements include factors such as ceiling heights, ceiling support structures, and a laminar airflow system with positive pressure to uphold the sterility level of the operating room. The design and functionality of a hybrid OR also involve other critical factors, such as equipment integration, patient flow, and radiation safety.
Exploring the Primary Benefits of Hybrid Operating Rooms
The benefits of hybrid ORs are numerous and impactful. Some of the key benefits of these rooms include:
● Improved Patient Outcomes
The use of hybrid ORs can result in improved patient outcomes and decreased procedure times.
● Patient Safety and Recovery
Patient safety is the primary benefit of a hybrid operating room. Many patients experience shorter recovery times after undergoing a procedure in a hybrid OR, as they only need to be moved once for both imaging and surgery, reducing the risk associated with patient transport.
● Enhanced Surgical Capabilities
Surgeries performed in the hybrid operating rooms take advantage of those in conventional operating rooms mainly in terms of less operative time, higher procedure accuracy, and low risk of hemorrhage during transportation between radiology departments and operating suites.
● Versatility and Multidisciplinary Work
Hybrid ORs facilitate the multidisciplinary work of professionals specializing in different medical areas and allow for diagnosis and intervention to be performed at the same time. They facilitate the performance of both open and minimally invasive procedures, making them versatile for a wide range of surgical interventions.
Unveiling Advancements in Hybrid Operating Rooms
Below are the recent technological advancements in hybrid ORs.
● Integration of Augmented Reality
A study by Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, and Philips Healthcare found that a hybrid OR employed with an ARSN (augmented reality surgical navigation) system can minimize occupational radiation exposure. The research included 20 patients who were slated for spine surgery involving pedicle screw placement. The surgeries were conducted utilizing a ceiling-mounted Philips’ AlluraClarity Flexmove robotic C-arm equipped with an integrated ARSN system. The study demonstrated the effectiveness of ARSN systems in reducing patient radiation doses in a hybrid OR environment, with a 32% erectile dysfunction reduction per spinal level treated.
● Use of Robotic Systems
GE Healthcare has introduced the Allia IGS 7 angiography system, a robotic-driven system for image-guided therapy in hybrid operating rooms. The system operates on a wheeled gantry, allowing for easy patient access and conversion to open procedures. The system has been specifically designed to enrich the user’s experience, enhance the efficiency of workflow, and promote the utilization of advanced image guidance in day-to-day operations. The system features a personalized interface, a redesigned C-arm, and AutoRight technology, which uses intelligent image chain features on GE’s interventional X-ray systems. The system also includes a wide-bore C-arm, 3-D presets, and in-room 3-D review, making cone beam CT adoption easier in daily practice.
● The Rise of AI in Healthcare
AI has made remarkable advancements in the field of healthcare, particularly when it comes to its utilization in hybrid operating rooms. Siemens Healthineers and IHU Strasbourg together built a hybrid OR, which combines MRI, CT, cone-beam CT/angiography, and ultrasound imaging in one suite. AI tools are being developed to support precise data matching and image fusion between these modalities. This allows for intraoperative integration of soft tissue contrast and functional imaging, circumventing material constraints in the OR. The OR of the future is envisioned as the center of a technology ecosystem, integrating AI and robotics for diagnostic imaging, procedure planning, and execution.
Concluding Thoughts
Hybrid operating rooms represent a significant advancement in surgical care, offering a multifaceted approach that combines cutting-edge imaging technologies with fully equipped operating suites. The integration of advanced equipment and meticulous attention to patient safety. Hybrid ORs can perform a wide range of surgical procedures within a single space, underscoring the transformative impact of hybrid ORs. As these innovative facilities continue to evolve, they are poised to redefine the surgical landscape, allowing for enhanced patient outcomes, improved safety, and the seamless convergence of medical expertise. The future of surgical care undoubtedly holds great promise with the continued development and widespread adoption of hybrid ORs.
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