Impact of light intensity on image quality in endoscopic ear surgery
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The impact of light intensity on image quality in endoscopic ear surgery
IRAS ID
191389
Contact name
Arunchalam Iyer
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NHS Lanarkshire
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 5 months, 0 days
Research summary
Endoscopic ear surgery is surgery through the ear canal carried out with the use of an endoscope (camera). Images are displayed on a screen to allow the surgeon to visualise the surgical field during the operation. Each endoscope is connected to a light bulb with variable light intensity (0-100 %) to illuminate the surgical field. It is often thought the brighter the light source, the greater the image quality. Where the light source is at high intensity, the endoscope heats, risking thermal injury to patient and operator. There has been previous research to demonstrate the heating effects of endoscopes within the ear, and to recommend that endoscope be used at the lowest possible intensity. We aim to study whether reducing the light intensity from 100 % to 10 % produces the same image quality. Operating at 10% light intensity is already common practice for many surgeons, although received wisdom in some units is still 'the brighter, the better'. This study will be carried out as part of routine operative practice. Images will be taken of the ear at intensities from 10 % to 100 % during the operation. Four endoscopic ear surgery experts will be asked to assess the quality of each image. They will be blinded as to what intensity the image was taken at.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
16/SS/0016
Date of REC Opinion
10 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion