Title: Examine emerging surgical techniques.
Course: Surgical Technologist II (14056--II) > Section: Understanding Surgical Techniques

Examination should focus on emerging techniques, such as

- robotic surgery
- natural orifice surgery
- transluminal surgery
- endovascular surgery
- in utero surgery
- surgical applications of nanotechnology
- advances in minimally invasive surgery
- technologies such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based and three-dimensional modeling, used for surgical planning and rehearsal, followed by intraoperative MRI and navigational systems.

Sources of information on emerging surgical techniques should include

- local hospitals and surgical specialists
- websites (commercial and professional)
- medical journals
- professional conferences
- trade shows.

Process/Skill Questions:

- How and why is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) playing an increasingly important role in preoperative and intraoperative techniques?
- What emerging technologies are being developed? What other advances are occurring in the specialty of minimally invasive surgery? Why are advances in minimally invasive surgery of such interest in the medical field?
- What roles is nanotechnology playing in emerging surgical techniques?