Consultant colorectal surgeon Kapil Sahnan invited the company to film a robotic pan-proctocolectomy.

Revolve Labs, which recorded the operation using multiple 360º degree camera positions, Go Pros on the surgeons' heads and stereoscopic outputs from the Da Vinci robot, captured more than 16 hours of footage combining wide-theatre perspectives with the surgeon's own 3D view through the console.

The finished training module recreated the procedure in 3D, as well as allowing VR headset wearers to switch between multiple viewpoints, access additional information and revisit different stages of the procedure.

The training video is primarily aimed at trainees but can be useful for anyone wishing to learn a new procedure or technique. The tool allows viewers to watch an entire procedure, as well as add commentary from anywhere in the world, with a VR headset.

Hamish Mackenzie, founder of Revolve Labs, said: ‘We were given theatre access the evening before to set everything up, including a direct feed from the robot to capture what was happening during the operation.

‘Capturing clear depth and detail inside the body is technically difficult, but our software, combined with standard VR headsets, creates true 3D vision. That allows trainees to see anatomical planes and procedural steps with far greater clarity than traditional surgical videos.'

Sahnan, who is also the hospital's director of innovation, added: ‘We're always interested in pushing the boundaries when it comes to trying out new equipment and tech and are pleased with the results.'