Have you seen 4k in action?

Technology continues to improve and as surgeon we move along with it, but it is often difficult to determine what is a meaningful improvement over what we currently do.

I have been quite fortunate to have tested a number of 4k imaging systems recently under the impression that four fold improved resolution would lead to better surgery.

Certainly is has improved optics in that the view of the intercostal nerves are so apparent that the intercostal blocks are much more accurately placed. Specifically, we can see and place it a mm left of the nerve bundle.

For more "crude" application such as dissecting and stapling blood vessels standard HD is probably sufficient. With a 4k view we see the vasa vasorum of vessels and the magnification makes all capillaries look absolutely huge and hence we spend more time on haemostasis when developing the vessel fascia.  

More "serious" application, check out what we have done to improve visualisation with difficult to see ground glass opacities on CT that we as surgeon are expected to biopsy. The pathology confirmed AAH and that what it looks like in 4k.

I have no disclosures and no affiliation to Arthrex (apart from the fact that we are trying to buy the stack for use), I just thought to write to mention what I consider a good product, surgeons may not have considered that has the potential to improve clinical care.