Evolution in surgery: influence of minimally invasive approaches on the hepatobiliary surgeon.
BACKGROUND
Advances in technology and in medical knowledge underlie the constant change in paradigms for medical care. Those who understand, anticipate, and plan for these changes will have the greatest impact on future care of patients and education of the next generation of scholars.


METHODS
Review of pertinent literature.


RESULTS
In hepatobiliary surgery, rapid developments in laparoscopic surgery, image-guided interventions, and minimally invasive ablative therapies have combined to produce much improved care for patients with disease of the liver and biliary tract. Laparoscopic procedures of the gallbladder, bile duct, and liver have altered the morbidity of operations on these organs. Major changes in the treatment of liver abscess, gallstone disease, and liver tumors have resulted from recent changes in technology, highlighting the great opportunities the surgeon anticipating these changes may capitalize on to improve, not only patient care, but the field of surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Active investigation and developments in education in these areas to improve the training of the next generation of surgeons undoubtedly will improve patient care.
Fong
Yuman
Y
Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10065, USA. FongY@mskcc.org
Wong
Joyce
J
D001660:Biliary Tract Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D001662:Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends