Endoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure done inside a body cavity with the assistance of an endoscopic video camera and several thin instruments also known as endoscopes.⁽¹⁾  The surgeon first makes small incisions and places plastic tubes called ports through these incisions. The camera and other endoscopes, are then introduced through these ports into the patient. The camera  transmits a video from the inside of the patient onto a monitor. The surgeon uses this video to perform the procedure.

       Doctor using a Virtual Reality robotically assisted machine ^(P2)

Technology Used

Endoscopic machines are either 2D or 3D. A 3D endoscope transmits a 3D image onto the screen allowing the surgeon to see inside the patient with more depth.

A case study was done to find the differences between performing 2D and 3D endoscopic adrenalectomy (endoscopic surgery of the adrenal glands).  The study found that while 3D endoscopy cut down surgical time, the time difference is less significant when operated by experienced surgeons.

One of the newest innovations in minimally invasive surgery is robotic-assisted surgery. It has many benefits including 3D visualization, and added wrist motion which improves agility and surgical precision.

However, there are a few practical difficulties with using this equipment as it is very costly and needs to be assembled and disassembled adding to the operation time.

Love your body ^(P3) 

Benefits of Endoscopy

1. Reduced pain 
2. Reduced infections
3. Fewer complications
4. Quicker recovery
5. Cosmetically superior
6. Surgery is more meticulous as vision is ten to fifteen times better than in open surgery resulting in less bleeding and adhesions.

These benefits have lead to the widespread adoption of endoscopy in several countries. In many of them patients are given a video of the surgery as recorded by the inserted endoscopic camera. This video can then be passed onto other doctors, allowing them to have inside access into the patient’s medical history. And significantly improve health care service offered to patients.