How have laparoscopies improved?

The daVinci robot.: A new tool for doing laparoscopies is the davinci robot. It provides the surgeon with superior visualization and superior instrumentation. This means that surgery can be done with more precision, less tissue trauma, less bleeding, and shorter recovery times. Some procedures that would have required large open incisions in the past, can now be done with the laparoscope.

Better engineering: Progressive advances in all camera technologies have dramatically improved visualization of the anatomic structures with laparoscopes inside of the body. As high quality views of key structures became possible, surgeons expanded the type of procedures that could be performed laparoscopically. With new operations came new maneuvers that required new instrumentation - these too have been designed.

Optics: Current laparoscopic technology provides a much clearer picture of what we are looking at during surgery. The innovations have been similar to what has occurred in the television industry: we, too, are using hd technology now, have flat-screen monitors, and even 3-d in selected cases. These innovations translate into safer surgery.

Better equipment: Laparoscopies have improved by both better equipment & more physicians trained with increasing skill levels. Articulating scopes to improve the view, thinner instruments to allow smaller incisions or single ports for procedures have enabled more surgeries to be done with a scope. Robotic surgery allows more finesse but as usual, make sure you find a surgeon with skills & appropriate experience.