[Surgical continuing education with multi-media techniques exemplified by endonasal micro-endoscopic pan-sinus operation].

The concept of multimedia involves the integration of various media into a single computer system which, properly configured, permits an interactive approach. Modern computer technology makes it possible to display of varied audio-visual documents on screen and allow the users to work independently and learn at their own pace. Our new teaching multimedia software (available in English or German) illustrates future possibilities for individualized interactive medical education. Required hardware consists of an IBM-compatible PC plus a CD-ROM drive, two speakers, and a special MPEG multimedia board. The program is supplied on a compact disc. The user begins at an introductory screen and works through the technique of endonasal sinus surgery individually and interactively. He can switch between the following chapters by clicking the mouse: an introduction to anatomy of this region, an atlas of computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses, and a chapter dealing with the danger areas. The main chapter contains a video about how to perform endonasal microendoscopic sinus surgery, which we have divided into thirteen sections. Each of these contains a section on dangers and complications with tips on to avoid and correct them (e.g. how to close a dura defect; what to do after damaging the anterior ethmoidal artery). In addition, CT scans of the relevant areas are shown. A special MPEG multimedia board permits full-screen video.