Laparoscopy and the general surgeon

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has belatedly awakened the general surgical community to the concept of closed abdominal surgery. Current techniques have largely been developed by our colleagues in gynecology. The unanticipated demand by the public has placed unprecedented pressure on our systems for training, credentialing, developing, supplying, and evaluating changes in surgical technique. The diagnostic value of laparoscopy has been documented by a handful of general surgeons over the past several decades and is likely to become a more widely accepted technique. The potential of future developments in video-controlled operations is immense.