A new 3-D laparoscope in gastrointestinal surgery.

This study was set up to compare three-dimensional imaging of a new three-dimensional laparoscope with two-dimensional imaging in the inanimate and clinical settings. In the clinical setting the laparoscope was used in a total of 50 different laparoscopic operations. It provided excellent depth perception, definition, and resolution. The relationships of structures were more easily defined, and instrument manipulation was easier, doing away with the need for "touch and feel" to determine instrument position. Three-D imaging made cannulation of the cystic duct for cholangiography or with a flexible choledochoscope easier. In the inanimate setting basic simple tasks took the same time in 2-D as in 3-D, whereas a more complicated procedure of passing a needle and suture through a series of hoops was 25% faster when performed in 3-D compared to 2-D. Three-D imaging may reduce operative time for laparoscopic procedures, particularly the more complicated operations.