Operating microscope

An operating microscope or surgical microscope is an optical microscope specifically designed to be used in a surgical setting, typically to perform microsurgery.

A podiatrist prepares for microsurgery.

Design features of an operating microscope are: magnification typically in the range from 4x-40x, components that are easy to sterilize or disinfect in order to ensure cross-infection control.

There is often a prism that allows splitting of the light beam in order that assistants may also visualize the procedure or to allow photography or video to be taken of the operating field.

Typically an operating microscope might cost several thousand dollars for a basic model, more advanced models may be much more expensive. Additionally specialized microsurgical instruments may be required to make full use of the improved vision the microscope affords. It can take time to master use of an operating microscope.

Fields of medicine that make significant use of the operating microscope include Plastic Surgery, dentistry (especially endodontics), ENT surgery, ophthalmic surgery, and neurosurgery.

In Eye surgery

In Eye (ophthalmic) surgery, there are procedures which routinely utilize a surgical microscope, such as cataract surgery and corneal transplantation.

In dentistry

In dentistry, an example of a procedure which commonly uses an operating microscope would be endodontic retreatment, where the magnification provided by the operating microscope improves visualisation of the anatomy present leading to better outcomes for the patient. It has been suggested that the well-focused illumination and magnification should be part of a standard of care in endodontic therapy.[1][2] However, a Cochrane review did not find any studies that met the inclusion criteria to confirm or dispute the hypothesis; therefore suggesting further research.[3]

Other procedures

Surgical microscopes are used in anastomosis procedures carried out to join blood vessels in vascular surgery.

See also

References
  1. Cohen S, Hargreaves KM. Pathways of the Pulp. 9th Edition. St Louis, MO: Mosby, 2006.
  2. Kim S. Modern endodontic practice: instruments and techniques. Dental Clinics of North America 2004;48(1): 1–9.
  3. Del Fabbro, Massimo; Taschieri, Silvio; Lodi, Giovanni; Banfi, Giuseppe; Weinstein, Roberto L. (2015). "Magnification devices for endodontic therapy". Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (12): CD005969. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005969.pub3. PMID 26650099.

Further reading
  • Saunders WP, Saunders EM (July 1997). "Conventional endodontics and the operating microscope". Dental Clinics of North America. 41 (3): 415–28. PMID 9248683.
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