Abstract:

The worldwide explosion of laparoscopic surgery within general surgery began in the late 1980s and early 1990s. From its inception, surgeons have expected the image on the video monitor to resemble closely the image obtained in similar open surgery. The monitor image, however, is presented in two dimensions - height and width. Orientation of the surgeon to the anatomy is more difficult and requires a sound knowledge of anatomy, the relationships of organs to each other, and an understanding of the individual patient's unique structures. Adding a third dimension, depth, to imitate natural vision in open surgery may provide surgeons with the confidence to perform more advanced procedures. In addition, trainee surgeons, without the experience of open surgery which their senior colleagues have gained, may more rapidly appreciate orientation of the anatomy and learn the surgical task more quickly.

Authors:

Andreas Fountoulakis, M.D., Northwick Park and St. Mark's Hospital, London, U.K.; Alan Lomax, M.D., F.R.C.S.C., Dawson Creek District Hospital, Dawson Creek, B.C., Canada; Stephen Chadwick, M.S., F.R.C.S., Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, London, U.K.

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