THE TELESCOPES

Telescopes or laparoscopes come in various sizes and with various visualization capabilities. For large telescopes, Storz Endoscopy has the best and widest choice of telescopes (from 13 mm to 2mm with Straight Forward 0 Deg. to 45 Deg.). We use four types of telescopes for all the interventional laparoscopic procedures we have described herein.

The MiniSite* 2 mm telescopes  are part of the new generation of needleoscopic instruments. Initially, our surgical team felt these telescopes were of little value and the 2 mm instruments were too fragile. Newer 2 mm disposable and reusable instruments and telescopes were introduced. These have proven to be stronger and more durable therefore making this emerging field a definite feasibility.

Most telescopes are reusable instruments. There are some multiuse-disposable telescopes which are as effective as the reusable. Some authors report the Surgiview* Zero Degree 10 mm laparoscope has been used as many as fifty times with the same effectiveness. This instrument could benefit smaller medical centers with a limited number of telescopes or as an additional laparoscope.

We always have a 5 mm 30 Degree Telescope and a 10 mm Zero and 30 Degree Telescope available for ALL laparoscopic procedures. Zero Degree telescopes are now only used for laparoscopic inguinal hernias repair or when using a Termanian trocar.

We recently have been using 2 mm telescopes. These new MiniSite* 2 mm telescopes manufactured by the USS Corporation are part of the new generation of needleoscopic instruments. Initially, our surgical team felt these telescopes were of little value and the 2 mm instruments were too fragile. Newer 2 mm disposable and reusable instruments and telescopes were introduced. These have proven to be stronger and more durable therefore making this emerging field a definite feasibility (See chapter on Needleoscopic - 2mm procedures)

Most telescopes are reusable instruments. There are some multiuse-disposable telescopes which are as effective as the reusable. Some authors report the Surgiview* Zero Degree 10 mm laparoscope has been used as many as fifty times with the same effectiveness. This instrument could benefit smaller medical centers with a limited number of telescopes or as an additional laparoscope.