Digital upgrade for hospital

May 30 , 2008

Zululand OBSERVER

	Digital upgrade for hospital John Kasondo (registered nurse), Dr Maheshwa Naidoo and Rajan Moodley carry out keyhole surgery using the new Karl Storz equipment Lesley Stephenson   THE past six months has seen the Life Empangeni Garden Clinic upgrade laparoscopic theatre equipment to the tune of R1,5-million. The local hospital is one of only two hospitals in the Life group throughout the country to receive a Karl Storz 'Digital Operating Theatre, imported directly from Germany. The digital operating theatre reflects a convergence of medical technology, engineering and ergonomics which allows the surgeon to perform "keyhole" surgery more safely and easily by reducing strain on the surgeon's eyes, hands and body. 'Keyhole' surgery is the name given to operations in the abdomen, which are performed through small incisions (usually 0.5-1.5cm) as compared to larger incisions needed in traditional surgical procedures. Equipment The basic laparoscopic equipment consists of two ceiling mounted 23-inch LCD monitors to view the operation from all angles, a high definition (HDTV) handheld camera, a gas (carbon dioxide) insufflation system and a high power halogen cold light source. There is also a touch screen and digital recording equipment. According to Dr Maheshwar Naidoo of Life Empangeni Garden Clinic, once the surgeon is 'scrubbed up' and ready for surgery, his hands must remain in the sterile environment. He cannot even scratch his nose for fear of contamination. This makes it a little difficult to operate complex laparoscopic equipment. However the new system allows for 'voice control' so that the surgeon has full control without having to contaminate the sterile field. The hospital's radiology department has also seen a multi-million rand upgrade in February this year. Future upgrades planned for the hospital include incorporating a wide area network into the theatres so that digital x-ray images can be transmitted directly from the radiology department to theatre without the need to print out x-ray films.