Teleeducation in surgery: European Institute for Telesurgery experience

The information age is revolutionizing the practice and education of surgery. The use of video-conference systems through Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN) teletransmission connects surgeons around the world without the limits of distance. Teleeducation, teleteaching, teletraining, telementoring, and teleaccreditation have been clearly demonstrated and are now common practice. Pre- and perioperative surgical advice may be obtained from expert networks. Patient data can be reconstructed as virtual tridimensional images analyzed by computers, and the surgical procedure can be simulated to obtain an optimal surgical decision. Finally, the use of the Internet will provide access to this information, whenever and wherever necessary, through dedicated websites. It remains to be adequately demonstrated that these means will allow improvement in patient care.