Prof. dr. F.W. Jansen and Prof. dr. J. Dankelman

Workshop surgery & engineers: are there any limitations on implementing new technologies?

Workshop Leaders: Prof. dr. F.W. Jansen and Prof. dr. J. Dankelman

Department: Minimally Invasive Surgery, Leiden University Medical Center; Biomechanical Engineering, Technical University of Delft

New technical innovations resulted in a shift from conventional surgery (e.g. with access to the abdomen via a large incision) towards a Minimally Invasive Surgical (MIS) approach. The advantages for the patient are numerous and a broad implementation of this new technique in surgery was observed. Cholecystectomies, ectopic pregnancies, ovarian cysts and colon surgery are primarily performed by this access now. In the mean time engineers are developing new technical possibilities to enhance this approach. This resulted in new surgical instruments like the Robot and LESS-procedures and new access ways like the NOTES. The clinical demands, however, were not even formulated yet. Due to a more technically and commercially driven approach some of these new techniques and technologies are implemented already, whereas the more clinically driven approach has the preference.

In this interactive workshop an engineer and a clinician will discuss the issues on implementing new technologies in surgery. What are the advantages and what is the best way to implement these new technologies? With the changing demands of patients and surgeons, and with the e.g. increasing BMI of patients, new instruments need to be developed. What do you think about these new developments and where are the borders? Are we still allowed to perform surgery with a large incision? Or is the doctor the slave of all new technology?