Dr Schauer spoke about how he had the chance to design two operating suites in the past and showed slides of his suites and highlighted changes over the past decade, for example, the move from equipment which had to be wheeled in to the room for use to the installation of overhead tracks. Recent innovations - such as the ‘intelligent operating room’ which allows for two-way communication and voice-activated controls - were praised.
However, Dr Schauer pointed that that not all innovations "stick," giving the example of the robotic camera which was introduced in the 90s but didn’t work out. He said the future would continue to show exciting new developments and ones which don’t perform well.
Future projects and products in the operating room are likely to include head-mounted displays and the use of wireless equipment. Moving to the ward, Dr Schauer spoke of the possibility of computers which can be used at the bedside to deliver tutorials to students or to give the patient post-operative advice. The computer could also be used for two-way communication between consultant and patient - cutting the risk of contamination around a hospital and saving on doctor time.
Looking even further ahead, Dr Schauer spoke of "Doctor Robot" - which can be wheeled from patient to patient - with the doctor’s head viewed on a TV-style screen.
In terms of the evolution of surgery, Dr Schauer briefly described the evolution of surgery through open, laparascopic and endoscopic methods - and then said that he believed the next driver for innovation would come through endoscopic bariatic surgery.
He said this was because he believed it was becoming seen as the only way to successfully tackle obesity. In terms of the bariatic devices, there are restrictive techniques such as gastric bands, implanted devices and space fillers and malabsorbatives which stop food being absorbed.
Dr Schauer said there would be high volume caseloads for each of these areas of surgery in the coming years, leading to increases in expertise and driving innovations in the operating theatre.