title: A camera handler for Miccoli's minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and paratiroidectomy procedures.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Minimally invasive video-assisted thyroidectomy and paratiroidectomy (MIVAT/P) are surgical procedures performed with 5-mm cameras handled by a camera assistant.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors created a new camera handler for video-assisted neck surgery. It consists of a telescopic tripod device designed for mechanical handling of the camera, which is directly oriented by the operator even in solo surgery procedures. The camera is placed inside an O-shaped support, and moved by the operator himself for exploration and work on the surgical field.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thanks to this simple device, the camera holder provides a firm field and prevents blood stains in limited working spaces.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The novel camera handler may be useful in either MIVAT/P or other simple laparoscopic procedures (i.e., cholecystectomy) for a steady handling of the camera, even in solo surgery procedures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Policlinico Universitario di Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. francesco.rulli@ptvonline.it
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rulli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Galatà
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pompeo
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Farinon
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D016105:Parathyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012371:Robotics; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020535:Video-Assisted Surgery