title: Benefits of radial distortion correction in arthroscopic surgery: a first experimental study on a knee model.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lens probes used in arthroscopy typically have a small diameter and wide field-of-view. This introduces strong radial distortion (RD) into the image, ultimately affecting the surgeon's hand-eye coordination. This study evaluates potential benefits of using distortion-free images in arthroscopic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Distortion-free images were obtained using RDFixer™ software (Perceive3D, SA) to remove RD in the input video stream. Twelve orthopedic residents performed an arthroscopic task (loose body removal) in a dry-knee model using video with and without distortion. Residents were questioned about image quality, and surgical performance was rated using an adapted Global Rating Scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant improvement of all parameters was observed with distortion-free images. Residents perceived distortion-free images as providing a wider field-of-view and a better notion of relative depth and distance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  RD correction improved the surgical performance of residents, potentially decreasing their learning curve. Future work will study whether the benefits are observable in experienced surgeons. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho.|ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory.|Orthopedic Surgery Department, Hospital de Braga.
authors.forename: Rui M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Duarte
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho.|ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory.|Orthopedic Surgery Department, Hospital de Braga.
authors.forename: Nuno V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: University of Coimbra, Institute of Cognitive Psychology - Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences.
authors.forename: Armando M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Surgery Department, Centro Hospitalar da Universidade de Coimbra.|Medical School, University of Coimbra.
authors.forename: Fernando P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho.|ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory.|Orthopedic Surgery Department, Hospital de Braga.
authors.forename: Manuel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vieira-Silva
authors.affiliation: Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho.|ICVS/3B's PT Government Associate Laboratory.|Pediatric Surgery Department, Hospital de Braga.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Correia-Pinto
keywords: arthroscopy; depth perception; field of view; radial distortion correction