Minimally invasive surgery: only as good as the picture.
BACKGROUND
In minimally invasive surgery, there is increased reliance on real-time 2-dimensional images. The fibre-optic light lead is one of the most frequently damaged elements of the 'imaging chain', leading to a poor quality picture.


METHODS
Light leads with a honeycomb projection were connected to a light source and the resulting beam directed at a sheet of paper. Darkened sectors with diminished or absent light transmission were recorded.


RESULTS
All suitable light leads in routine use were examined. A mean of 22.2% (SD 7.8%) of the projection had diminished or absent light transmission.


CONCLUSIONS
Sub-optimal endoscopic equipment was in routine use.
Drury
Nigel E
NE
Department of Urology, Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Winchester, UK. ned@doctors.org.uk
Pollard
Rebecca
R
Dyer
Jonathan P
JP
D019723:Endoscopes / Q000592:standards*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000592:standards*; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000592:standards; D008027:Light; D008485:Medical Audit