Use Of Video Equipment In The Operating Room

With the increased use of laparoscopic, endoscopic, arthroscopic and thoroscopic surgery, it was just a matter of time before the use of a video monitor would be introduced into the surgical suite. Prior to that time, the eye piece of the lens was literally held up to the surgeons eye. Not only did this promote unsterile conditions, it made it impossible for the assistants around the table to anticipate the needs of the surgeon or to see what was going on. The surgeon used one hand to hold the scope and the other to hold instruments or perform procedures.

The introduction of video monitors not only increased the efficiency of the surgeon by making both hands available for surgery and giving the scope with a camera attached to it to an assistant to hold, it made it possible for the assistants to help grasp tissue with special laparoscopic instruments because they could now see the surgical field.

Use of video monitors made it possible for a large audience of students to learn specific maneuvers without being scrubbed at the field. A record of the entire surgery was available if the recording device was utilized. If networking is employed, several monitors are...