Drawing In Surgery: The Anatomy from Vesalius to Robotic Surgery
Anatomy drawing has always been considered fundamental to understanding and teaching anatomy. In Padua, in particular, Andrea Vesalio conducted his anatomy studies, giving birth to modern anatomy based on dissecting human cadavers and detailed drawings. Building upon this rich tradition of anatomical illustration in Padua, the project team seeks to integrate this artistic practice with modern robotic technology to create a new approach to surgical education. By combining the tradition of anatomical drawing with cutting-edge robotic technology, the project team aims to create a more engaging, accessible, and effective learning environment for students of surgical anatomy.
Anatomical drawings created by surgeons with knowledge of anatomy and surgery are highly detailed and distinct from the schematic diagrams commonly used in surgical education. These drawings focus on surgical anatomy management, highlighting important structures and potential complications. For example, if an inadvertent injury occurs to one of the normally present lumbar veins during a posterior dissection of the inferior vena cava, the surgeon-drawer would highlight this structure in the drawing (A). In contrast to traditional anatomy diagrams, which often present structures generically and uniformly (B), the anatomical drawings created by surgeon-drawers highlight important structures and potential complications that are specific to the surgical context. By using these highly detailed drawings in conjunction with robotic technology, the project team aims to create an innovative, more precise, nuanced, and effective surgical education approach.
By drawing attention to specific details, the surgeon-drawn anatomical diagrams provide a more engaging and memorable learning experience. When learners are drawn to particular structures or potential complications, they are more likely to retain the information and be able to apply it in clinical settings. This approach to anatomical education represents an innovative and effective way to teach surgical anatomy.