Weightless surgery

[j d worthington]

First: a note to Chris: If this doesn't belong here, please transfer to the proper place. However....

Ran across this article just a little while ago. This could be a very important step when it comes to space exploration, and I'm glad someone's taking such steps again. Anyone else have thoughts on this?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060925/ap_on_sc/weightless_surgery

 

[mosaix]

Whilst this is obviously serious scientific research the possibilities for mishap are endless. The Beoing that was used in the fifties and early sixties for weightless training of the American astronaughts was dubbed the "Vomit Comet".

I wonder if it's ever been a possibility before that the operating theatre staff could end up sicker than the patient?

 

[j d worthington]

Well, that's part of the problem, I think: We need to develop such techniques if we're going to be serious about space travel; yet it does mean there are going to be problems along the way ... just as there are inevitably going to be deaths if we get out there with more than an occasional exploratory vessel.

There's also the fact that they were looking for information to use in designing a surgical robot, essentially, for use aboard spacecraft, etc. -- which, of course, would not become nauseated by either motion sickness or any of the other frailties of human surgeons.... but what happens when the machine doesn't work? We'd still need surgeons trained in such techniques; space is the deadliest environment there is, and we'll need all our skills to survive out there.....

 

[carrie221]

When they come up with artifical gravity then I think it will work better but until then well... there will be a lot of upset tummys

 

[chrispenycate]

Just watched the operation (in french) This could be a new sport!
It is certainly worth while not getting apendicitis in orbit.