How to Maintain the Quality of Laparoscopic Surgery in the Era of Lack of Hands ?

Abstract

Lack of personnel in the operating rooms is not a future problem, it is today’s reality in many hospitals throughout the OECD countries. As studies anticipate that this situation will not change overnight (1), the issue of the quality of surgery within this new environment needs to be addressed on short notice. The problem is even more critical for laparoscopic surgeons, who have enjoyed proportionally more assistance since the emergence of minimally invasive surgery.

After analyzing the tasks performed by OR assistants and nurses, we have looked at available techniques and tools (2) that could help laparoscopic surgeons, using the following criteria to assess their benefits: capability to address the shortage of assistance, impact on quality of surgery, economic affordability within the existing Belgian healthcare system.

Key Words:

• Laparoscopy
• assistant
• robotics

Additional information

Notes on contributors

P. Hourlay

Dr. Pierre Hourlay Romeinsesteenweg, 243 3700 Tongeren, Belgium.