Stationary and automated laparoscopically assisted technologies.

The extent that laparoscopy may impact upon the practice of surgery remains to be clarified. One problem with these techniques is the maintenance of an adequate, stationary visual field in morphometrically different abdomens. This requires the attentive, trained, and skillful utilization of someone or something to operate the camera portal. Herein reported are the theory, advantages, disadvantages, and clinical utilization of mechanical and robotic arm systems to replace this second assistant during laparoscopic surgery.