Live interactive broadcast of laparoscopic surgery via the Internet

For the first time in the history of communications, we conducted live interactive broadcasts through the Internet (on August 29, and September 3, 1996).

Successful transmissions were performed from Pontiac, Michigan, to Laguna Hills, California, and Buenos Aires, Argentina, and participants actively interacted in audio and video formats in real time.

Video images were transmitted at a rate of 1-2 frame/s and displayed in a 320 x 240 window at the remote sites. The loss of audio packets averaged 17% with a delay of 0.5-2 s. The broadcasting computer station was also able to receive real-time video and sound from the distant computers, allowing complete interaction between both parties over the duration of each transmission session. Average broadcast time was 1. 5 h +/- 30 min, and the cost of each transmission was equal to that of a regular local phone call.

Videoconferencing via the Internet is a viable method for transmitting information in real time allowing surgeons worldwide to work together during surgical procedures.