[An image says more than a thousand words; standardising video registration in the operating theatre]

Today, video imaging is a major part of laparoscopic surgery. Despite continuous efforts to improve or innovate laparoscopic techniques, the registration of laparoscopic imaging for quality of care purposes remains an afterthought. By recording the essential steps of a surgical procedure, it is possible to inquire in more detail about what actually occurred in the operating theatre. However, it is necessary to take the legal framework into account. Questions concerning patient consent, permission from healthcare providers, whether video documentation should enter the patient record, and the length of the period it is retained must be answered. Also, the prevention of the misuse of information is important and therefore the purpose of documentation needs to be put on record beforehand. Video documentation is a promising method of registering surgical quality. However, the first priority is to demonstrate the actual quality improvement of video documentation and the formulation of precise guidelines.