The Effects of Minimally Invasive Surgery on the Future of Perioperative Nursing

Abstract

Who would have predicted 10 years ago, that we would be performing hysterectomies, nephrectomies and bowel resections using a laparoscopic technique? To accurately predict the future of Perioperative nursing, as it relates to the ever changing aspects of Minimally Invasive or Mininal Access surgery, is a difficult task. Looking to the future, one must be receptive, yet scrutinizing, towards many controversial and innovative ideas. Minimal Access surgery has proven to be a viable alternative to the traditional open surgical methods. In the beginning, many surgeons and nurses were skeptical about this modality but over the last three years, patient benefits and anticipated surgical outcome have been well documented. With the technological advances in instrumentation and equipment, and the establishment of training and preceptorship programs, Minimal Access surgery has proven to be the way of the future; to date we have only seen the tip of the iceberg.