Phantoms and Pixels, Apparitions and Apparatus: Image Guided General Surgery

Abstract

As eloquently stated by Dr. Richard Bucholz in his introduction to the first edition of this journal,¹ “the concept of image guidance in surgery may initially be deemed a non-sequitur: by definition, we use images perceived by our optic systems to lead us to our surgical decisions and actions.” However, the thrust of this journal is to define the relationships between Homo sapiens and the technology that is now an interface between surgeon and patient.

In this article I will discuss how such technology effects the general surgeon, including devices and designs currently in use and those that are mere speculation. A leader in this field, Colonel Richard Satava, has stated succinctly, “Predicting the future-trends in any profession jeopardizes the credibility of the author.”² I have been guilty of such speculation and it is amazing how rapidly concepts move from probability to possibility to implausibility. This is another reason why a journal in this electronic format is so appealing.

Key Words:

• general surgery
• image guided surgery
• microrobotics
• telepresence