Laparoscopic lens fogging: A review of etiology and methods to maintain a clear visual field

Abstract

Laparoscopic surgical procedures are becoming common across surgical specialties, including urology. Maintaining a clear field of vision is paramount in such procedures not only for safety by preventing inadvertent injury, but also to improve precision and reduce operative time. Laparoscopic lens fogging (LLF) is a major impediment to a clear visual field during laparoscopy and is caused by condensation as well as particulate debris, blood, and smoke accumulation on the scope lens. Despite many available techniques to improve vision during laparoscopy, available data on etiology and methods to improve vision have only sporadically been considered in the literature. The objective of this revi..