The broader term “keyhole” surgery has long been applied in orthopaedics.
It develops as minimal access surgery using a narrow tube (laparoscope) to see inside the body. Surgeons then operate using instruments via a television screen.
Sir Alfred Cuschieri pioneers training, establishing Dundee as a leading European centre to develop surgeons’ skills.
It has revolutionised surgery and patients’ experience of it. Many operations can now be carried out in a day, reducing the need to keep people in hospital.