Minimally Invasive Operations With Olympus Equipment Honored By American Urological Association

Main Category: Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 06 May 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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The annual meeting of the American Urological Association presents awards for the most innovative videos from urological practice ("Best of the Best Videos 2009"). Prizes for first and second places this year went to Dr. Mihir Desai and Dr. René Sotelo for their minimally invasive operation through the umbilicus. Both surgeons impressed the jury with high-resolution video recordings demonstrating the benefits of the new operating technique.

Laparo-endoscopic single-site (LESS) surgery, meaning endoscopic operations conducted through one single access point, are among the most important innovations in medical technology. TriPorts and QuadPorts allow three to four instruments to be introduced into the body through one orifice such as the navel.

In the videos receiving the awards from the USA, a small opening of only 25 mm (one inch) is required for the TriPort. Until now traditional operations have either needed one long incision or five to six small access points, in addition to the 25mm incision for tissue extraction. Since this method was first used in May 2007, it has brought about a revolution in surgery and is a clear focus of attention at congresses. This year's European Association of Urology congress in March has already seen an award go to Dr Jens-Uwe Stolzenburg for a video demonstrating this new operating method.

The market for minimally invasive products is growing continually. In Europe alone, for example, 900,000 gall bladder operations are conducted each year. In the coming years, a large proportion of gall bladder operations will be carried out through the umbilicus. Experts are expecting a significant growth in medical interventions using the technique known as scarless surgery in the next few years, even in complex operations. In addition to the cosmetic aspect and the reduced wound healing pain for patients, the novel means of access could also offer benefits for the hospitals: patient stays will be further reduced and hospital expenditure will decrease due to the reduced risk of post-operative wound infections. Thanks to its products and systems solutions, Olympus enjoys a strong position as a partner for medicine. Flexible and rigid endoscopes play an important role in minimally invasive diagnostics and therapy. The product range includes endoscopes and system solutions for extensive applications in internal medicine and surgery, endoscopic video systems as well as systems for instrument reprocessing and a large selection of endotherapy accessories.

The Irish company Advanced Surgical Concepts (ASC) is the world's sole supplier of access ports for laparoscopic operation techniques through a single orifice. Since 2008, Olympus has been exclusively supplying the complete product range needed for such techniques and, in particular, manufactures hand-operated instruments for LESS surgery.

Source
Olympus

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