title: A technique for real-time digital measurements in laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current techniques for the measurement of intracorporeal targets in laparoscopic surgery are relatively cumbersome and imprecise.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured light technique was used to obtain the length and width of two defects and an object in a laparoscopic training box. These measurements were compared against two current and standard laparoscopic techniques of intracorporeal measurement: the introduction of a plastic ruler and the use of an opened end of a laparoscopic instrument to approximate 2 cm. The time needed to measure the defects and object was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Structured light-derived measurements were closest to the criterion standard, followed by plastic ruler measurements, then by instrument-end measurements. Digital measurements were quickest, followed by the instrument-end method, then by the plastic ruler.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This report describes a novel structured light technique for laparoscopic measurement of intracorporeal targets capable of producing results superior to those of current techniques.
authors.affiliation: University of Maryland College of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKinlay
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003199:Computer Systems; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008029:Lighting; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D012107:Research Design; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted