Surgical Technology and its Impact on Practice

Abstract

Minimal access surgery Minimal access surgical procedures allow surgeons to reduce patient morbidity while maintaining quality of care. Laparoscopy involving an optical telescope in the operator’s hand while operating with the remaining hand was revolutionized with the development of miniature video camera systems that allow the surgical field to be viewed on a monitor. This meant that the assistant could hold the camera as well as retract adjacent viscera, allowing the surgeon to operate with both hands. The use of laparoscopic techniques rapidly spread