Technology in the Operating Suite

摘要

The laparoscopic revolution that swept over general surgery in the 1990s was born of innovative technology and paved the way for further infiltration of technology into the operating room. The key transformation was the necessary disconnection between the surgeon and the tissue. In laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon could only see tissue by means of technology. This new dependence on images changed surgery in important ways. First, surgery now had a commonality with other procedural-based specialties such as gas-troenterology (endoscopy), therapeutic radiology (fluoroscopy), and cardiology (angiography). Second, computer technology could now be used to digitize, enhance, transmit, and otherwise manipulate the image. The interjection of technology between the surgeon and the patient also meant that surgeons could no longer depend solely on their hands to intervene; they needed the assistance of industry to provide the needed technology.