Image display in endoscopic surgery

Advances in the technology of optical displays have changed the way surgeons are able to manage different illnesses. Minimally invasive surgery encompasses a wide range of endoscopic procedures, whereby the body cavity (abdomen, thorax, gastrointestinal tract, and joint spaces) is accessed through small incisions and the use of telescopes and fine, long instruments. These techniques have rapidly gained in popularity during the last decades, as patients are experiencing less discomfort after surgery. Visualization of the operative field requires optimal image capture, processing, and display. The introduction of charge‐coupled devices has enabled surgeons to view the operative field on a video monitor, allowing ever‐more‐complex operations to be performed endoscopically. However, limitations include loss of 3‐D perception and tactile sense, poor ergonomics, often suboptimal positioning of image display and image quality that is too dependent on outside influences. These limitations, and possible solutions, are addressed, as is the “ideal” display system for endoscopic surgery.