Page 2 - Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery

Editorial

The concept of surgery is evolving and so we are constantly challenged to enhance our patient outcomes
by improving or improvising our surgical skill. Surgery has traditionally been a specialty within the
profession of medicine that has revolved around invasive procedures to deal with various diseases. Initially,
trauma induced by the therapeutic procedure was necessary and reasonable to provide benefit to the
patient. But now, with the innovation of advanced technology, combined with optical engineering and
improved video displays, surgeons can operate within body cavities for therapeutic intervention with no
larger incisions previously necessary to allow a surgeon’s hands use of the required organs.
Noninvasive surgical techniques typically rely on small incisions encircling the surgical field in order
to insert small scopes and instruments. Laparoscopic surgery is responsible for a change in the path of
access and it has significantly and irrevocably changed the surgical procedure on most disease processes. As the benefits of
minimal access surgery approach were numerous for that patient, early technology limited the application with a procedures.
Specifically, surgeons using standard minimally invasive techniques lost the need for an all natural three-dimensional image,
depth perception and articulated movements.
Magnified view of tissue was often difficult and instruments were rigid without joints. Robotic surgery has provided the
technology to deal with these limitations and permit the use of minimally invasive surgery to some broader spectrum of patients
as well as their diseases. Surgical robots relieve a few of these limitations by giving fine motor control, magnified three-dimensional
imaging and articulated instruments.
This issue of World Journal of Laparoscopic Surgery (WALS) is perfectly timed as the field of robotics has evolved past its
infancy and it has proven itself to become a useful and lasting innovation. We have now decided to regularly publish the article
associated with robotic surgery. As use of robotics in surgical treatment is now broad-based across multiple surgical specialties
and can undoubtedly expand within the next decades as new technical innovation and methods increase the applicability of their
use. I believe that reader will enjoy our journey toward these new innovations in minimal access surgery.
World Association of Laparoscopic Surgeons endeavors to disseminate education, training and research of minimal access
surgery. The WALS took initiative to advertise further innovations within the laparoscopic surgery. In keeping with its objectives,
the WALS is holding the next Laparoscopic Congress on 14th and 15th February, 2012 at World Laparoscopy Hospital, Cyber
City, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
The Congress will give a platform for the practitioners of laparoscopic surgery to address key issues, devolves on strengths
and weakness, identify technological gaps, opportunities and challenges and create a road map to consider minimal access
surgery to the rightful place. Hence, the theme: ‘Recent Advances in Robotic and Laparoscopic Surgery.’

I am inviting all of you to attend this scientific conference and wishing you a very happy New Year!

RK Mishra
Editor-in-Chief

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