I had a rewarding experience contributing to "The Foundation and Art of Robotic Surgery," which was published earlier this year, with the Body Scientific International team. This project took more than three years to complete, from our first meetings and style decisions to the production of hundreds of illustrations that were all subjected to multiple revisions. I'm quite proud of the tone and coherence we established throughout the book. It was an honor to be the only illustration team for this large surgical atlas, and it helped us maintain consistency in format and style throughout the entire book. Our crew produced a coherent collection of over 900 images over three years.
Every type of illustration, including those showing trocar placement, patient positioning, OR setup, labeled anatomy, and operative steps, had a unique appearance and feel. In the labeled anatomy, for instance, the linework is clean and well-defined, and the intraoperative views offer a realistic, surgeon's-eye perspective of the tissue. It was also lucky that our client supported the inclusion of several skin tones and body types in the drawings. An important aspect this atlas illustrates regarding patient positioning and trocar placement is the presence of overweight figures. Given more than two in five Americans are obese, surgeons must be ready for these body types. For preoperative planning, almost every chapter includes a heavyweight option and a normal weight option so that surgical experts can efficiently plan and carry out operations for a wider spectrum of patients.
In the early 2000s, as I delved into the world of medical illustration, I found myself captivated by the intricate anatomy atlases of Netter, Clemente, and Thieme. The level of precision and aesthetic appeal in these atlases made them my primary reference points. At that stage in my career, my ultimate aspiration was to produce illustrations that would meet the high standards set by these esteemed atlases.
Working on this project presented that chance, especially in pieces like "Circulation and the Kidneys" and "Nerves of the Perineum." As an educator, I often remind my students not to follow references too closely, but to develop their own interpretations of anatomical structures. Developing a work showing the same anatomical structures without looking like a Netter illustration presented a challenge.
As part of our style development, our main objectives were to achieve neat, clean edges and clear lines. Think of bold black strokes around the buildings to help define their anatomy. Although our approach may not be traditional, the clear distinction of structures is crucial for comprehension. I'm glad we achieved the unique look we were aiming for.
I also want to thank my amazing colleagues at Body Scientific who worked on this project: Lik Kwong, the project manager; Marcelo Oliver, our boss; Monica Wierzbicki; and Liana Bauman. We really assembled a fantastic team! The atlas also won an Award of Excellence from the Association of Medical Illustrators at the 2024 annual conference salon. The process was so fulfilling because of our regular work reviews, style discussions, and team meetings to go over developments and difficulties created. I’m grateful for the collaboration and support we shared throughout this journey.
If you’re in need of precise and detailed surgical or anatomical illustrations for your next project or surgical atlas, I’m here to help. With extensive experience in biomedical visualization, I specialize in creating high-quality, accurate visuals tailored to medical professionals. Feel free to reach out to me via email at carol@hrejsa.com to discuss your needs—I’m currently available for new projects and look forward to bringing your vision to life.
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