Emerging technology in minimal access surgery

Surgical care has undergone a dramatic change over the past couple of decades with the introduction of more advanced technology into patient care. Image guided and video endoscopic procedures not only minimize the trauma of access, but also allows more precision in instrumentation through small 'ports' or through anatomic conduits (e.g., arteries, veins) or natural orifices (e.g., mouth, anus, vagina). The patient benefits substantially in terms of the short term problems of pain and wound infection and also the long term problems related to hernias and adhesions. However the techniques require acquiring an entirely new skill set for the surgeons and getting familiar with the working of the complex devices, notwithstanding the occasionally prohibitive costs. This article will introduce the latest in image-guided surgery, 3D laparoscopy including robotics, the newest energy sources and the latest in simulation based training and operative planning.