Teleophthalmology: the use of real-time telementoring to remove an orbital tumor.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether current telemedicine technology can support real-time surgical telementoring to remove an orbital tumor.


METHODS
Interventional case report


METHODS
An orbital specialist guided a general ophthalmologist in the removal of a lateral orbital tumor from a site 210 miles away on another island. A 3-mm endoscope connected to a three-chip digital video camera attached to a Concorde 4500 Picture-Tel videoconferencing system was used to transmit images at a rate of 384 kb per second over integrated service digital network lines.


METHODS
Successful performance and outcome of the telementored procedure comparable to hands-on orbital surgery.


RESULTS
The surgical procedure was successfully telementored with uncomplicated removal of the orbital tumor.


CONCLUSIONS
Current telemedicine technology can support real-time telementoring to remove an orbital tumor.
Department of Ophthalmology, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA.
J G
JG
Camara
R R
RR
Zabala
R D
RD
Henson
S H
SH
Senft
D000293:Adolescent; D003199:Computer Systems; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008067:Lipoma / Q000601:surgery*; D008611:Mentors; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D009918:Orbital Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*