Surgical Video Systems—Scoping Out Models from Four Manufacturers

In recent years, the use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has seen a steady rise. MIS procedures require smaller incisions, produce less scarring, inflict less trauma on the patient, and result in shorter recovery times.

MIS procedures often use a surgical video system (SVS). An SVS allows the viewing of live, color images of the interior of the body during diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. The components of an SVS include an endoscope (either rigid or flexible), a video camera, a light source, a video processor, and one or more displays.

The majority of SVS manufacturers offer high-definition cameras and video processors. Although standard-definition systems are still available, because of the shrinking price gap between high- and standard-definition systems, most purchases today are for high-definition systems. However, we are not aware of any clinical benefit that has been established for the use of high-definition systems. (For a discussion of high-definition and other issues related to resolution, see the discussion Understanding Resolution Specifications below. )

This Evaluation covers five high-definition endoscopic systems from four manufacturers:

Table: Evaluation at a Glance

We focused on systems that are used with rigid endoscopes (for example, during laparoscopy). Each system was judged based on its...