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Nadjafi-Semnani M, Simforoosh N, Bahlgerdi M, Ghazizadeh M, Hoseinpour H. Real-time point to point wireless intranet connection: first implication for surgical demonstration, decision making and telementoring in laparoscopy in Iran. Journals of Birjand University of Medical Sciences 2007; 14 (1) :9-15
URL: http://journal.bums.ac.ir/article-1-131-en.html

Background and Aim: To determine whether an inexpensive set up of point to point wireless intranet connection can provide adequate video and audio teleconferencing and image quality to support remote real-time surgical demonstration and telementoring. To our knowledge, there is no similar report from Iran.
Materials and Methods: Surgeon performing a novel laparoscopic extraperitoneal trigonoplasty for correcton of bilateral vesico-ureteral reflux (right grade III and left grade I) in a 10 years old boy in Emam Reza hospital, Birjand- Iran shared real-time laparoscopic images with the mentor and innovator of this new technique at the Birjand University of medical sciences, 5 kilometer apart from each other through a point to point wireless intranet connection using university local area network (LAN) and Windows media encoder and Windows media player soft wares. To evaluate the quality of transmitted real-time images, the mentor’s opinion was sought. In addition, paired local and remote images were “grabbed” from the video feed and evaluated to compare the effect of transmission on image quality.
Results: The connection permitted adequate video and audio teleconferencing to support real-time consultation. The qualities of transmitted images were so high that the mentor was able to identify the bared ureteral wall and Waldeyer's sheath during the laparoscopic trigonoplasty. The qualities of paired local and remote images were similar.
Conclusions: A point to point wireless Intranet-based telemedicine is relatively inexpensive and effective. Use of these set up will allow sharing of surgical procedures.