Teleproctoring laparoscopic operations with off-the-shelf technology.

Teleproctoring may be a viable approach to training surgeons in the near future. It may also be a superior form of instruction, providing for instantaneous visual and audio feed back to the participant. Conventional proctors are sometimes tempted to reach in and "help", thus infringing on the learning process of the participant. This is a problem that is averted by use of a teleproctoring system. Teleproctoring thereby challenges the proctor to expand the means by which he teaches. As new technologies mature teleproctoring may become the gold standard for teaching new surgical techniques.