Brain and spine surgery in 3-D: Coming soon to the operation theatre

New 'videomicroscopes' offer astounding images, helping surgeons perform and collaborate on delicate brain and spine operation

One blue surgical drape at a time, the patient disappeared, until all that showed was a triangle of her shaved scalp. “Ten seconds of quiet in the room, please,” said David J Langer, the chairman of neurosurgery at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan, part of Northwell Health. Silence fell, until he said, “OK, I’ll take the scissors.”

His patient, Anita Roy, 66, had impaired blood flow to the left side of her brain, and Langer was about to perform bypass surgery on slender, delicate arteries to restore the circulation and prevent a stroke.

The operating room was dark, and everyone was wearing