THETROCAR.COM, an online videojournal of gynecologic and surgical endoscopy, was first published in May 2001, and it has been gaining a wider audience each month. In addition to providing exceptional visual aids, the videojournal contains up-to-date course and meeting information. Although published in a different format, each article is selected based on the same scientific strictness and thorough statistical analysis as papers published in more traditional journals. New sections of the videojournal include Congress Reports (mostly videos of live surgery) and Tips on Surgical Anatomy. The videojournal also includes editorials, reports and reviews, and an instruments section. For more information, visit www.thetrocar.com
First established in 1997 within the framework of the European Institute for Tele Surgery (IRCAD-EITS), WebSurg has now spun off into a private company. What distinguishes WebSurg is the unique quality of the step-by-step descriptions of operative procedures, which are grouped by surgical specialty on www.websurg.com. These are complemented by surgical videos, expert opinions and clinical cases. To date, more than 100 operative procedures, 300 videos, and over 1000 photos and animated illustrations are available online. The specialties covered are digestive surgery, urology, gynecology, pediatrics, and thoracic and endocrine surgery. Recently, WebSurg and the University of Virginia School of Medicine entered into a partnership to provide AMA category 1 credit for the content available on www.websurg.com
LAPAROSCOPY.COM is a multimedia on-line database of surgical procedures involving laparoscopy and other minimally invasive techniques. Apart from its high quality pictures and short video clips, this is the only web site that offers a 24-hour live broadcast. Grand rounds, teaching rounds, lectures, and simulated live surgery can be watched from any computer connected to the Internet. Taking advantage of the latest advancements in streaming technology and wireless protocols, these live events
can also be accessed via handheld computers. For more information, contact Alex Gandsas, MD, webmaster@laparoscopy.com
SLS.ORG, the web site of the Society of Laparoendoscopic Surgeons, contains information for medical professionals and patients and is one of the most visited sites for laparoscopic surgery. The SLS yellow pages assist medical professionals in networking and allow patients to search for a laparoscopic surgeon by state (in the US) or by region of the world. The yellow pages list members’ specialty, telephone number, e-mail address, and practice web site. The patient information pages also contain educational articles about laparoscopy and endoscopy. To help physicians learn about new technology, the site provides a virtual exhibit hall that contains contact information for many of the leading companies in minimally invasive surgery. For more information, visit www.sls.org
www.Laparoscopy.org The Laparoscopic Surgery Information Source
