This paper describes a mechatronic (mechanical and electronic) realization of the optimal trajectory planning and guidance algorithms for minimally invasive surgical training. Specifically, the realization implements optimal navigation paths for surgical instruments in laparoscopic exercises. The underlying system platform is the Computer-Aided Surgical Trainer (CAST) that consist of mechanical...

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is the technique of choice for rectum-preserving treatment of rectal tumours. However, the instruments are relatively expensive and TEM is a highly-complex technique. From 2010 a few case reports describing a new technique for local excision of rectal tumours using a single-access laparoscopic port have appeared. These single-access ports are flexible mul...

Introduction: Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) has been developed as a less invasive laparoscopic surgery. On the other hand, robotically assisted surgical technology has offered new options for minimally invasive surgery. In this study, we report a new surgical technology to perform SILS using the da Vinci S surgical system (Intuitive Surgical Inc., Sunnyvale, CA). Materials and Sur...

Laparoscopy, both diagnostic and therapeutic, has been used in the management of gastric pathology because of all the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure, such as faster recovery, shorter hospital stay, fewer wound complications, and other benefits. We report a case involving the resection of a gastric ulcer in a 71-year-old patient. Endoscopy revealed a nonhealing antral ulcer that was ...

INTRODUCTION Trajectories of surgical instruments in laparoscopic surgery contain rich information about surgeons' performance. In a simulation environment, instrument trajectories can be taken by motion sensors attached to the instruments. This method is not accepted by surgeons working in the operating room due to safety concerns. In this study, a novel approach of acquiring instrument trajec...

Proper patient positioning and port placement is of critical importance in robotic-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). Not having the patient in the correct Trendelenburg position or not being able to move the surgical instruments freely in the abdominal cavity can be frustrating, especially for naïve robotic surgeons (ie, those at the beginning of the learning curve for this pr...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Fascial closure of port sites represents a challenging issue in laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this article is to introduce a procedure that allows the safe suturing of the abdominal fascia in these wounds. METHODS We herein describe a simple technique for fascial closure after laparoscopy using a transcutaneous approach and standard surgical instruments for suture...

PURPOSE This study aimed to compare clinical outcomes for single-incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) and conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (CLA) for the treatment of acute appendicitis and to assess the feasibility of performing SILA in a small hospital with limited surgical instruments and staff experience. METHODS Retrospective record review identified 133 patients who underwent ...

Despite the acceptance of laparoscopy for performing routine operations, a need still exists for experienced surgeons and surgical residents to maintain and refine essential surgical skills. Unless used on a frequent basis, laparoscopic skills are not easily maintained. In addition, when new laparoscopic instruments are introduced, surgeons need a way to practice using them that does not involv...

In this paper, we introduce a novel "dynamic point" algorithm for computing the interaction of a line-shaped haptic cursor and polygonal surface models which has a near constant complexity. The algorithm is applied in laparoscopic surgery simulation for interaction of surgical instruments with physics-based deformable organ models.