NSALK is an interdisciplinary organisation working together with NTNU (the Norwegian University of Science and Technology), FOR (The Future Operating Room), the SINTEF research group and other national and international partners. This collaborative effort has produced a number of technical inventions, such as SonoDoppler and the new instrument Volargrip(tm).

Volargrip(tm) is a laparoscopic tool with a grip that can be adapted to the surgeon's hands and fits both left-handed and right-handed surgeons. The design has been developed and tested in close cooperation between users at St. Olav's University Hospital and university hospitals in Germany and designers from the Trondheim-based company Surgitech Norway AS.

One of the center's research areas is testing in telemedicine, a field that is eminently suitable for laparoscopic surgery. Surgical operations can be demonstrated and discussed online, and surgeons at different hospitals can assist each other. This technology opens for entirely new perspectives in training and follow-up of staff through simple and cost-effective videoconferences. At our courses, the teaching material is imported from various national and international centers of expertise. NSALK is an associated member of the European Institute of Telesurgery and the Asian Institute of Telesurgery.

The center is active in research on bariatric surgery and has, in collaboration with Trondheim Univeristy Hospital, tested new surgical treatments such as VBLOC therapy  (http://www.enteromedics.com/What_is_VBLOC.htm).

The use of simulators when acquiring and maintaining practical skills makes training safer, more efficient and enables exact replication of setup for all candidates, permitting fair and reliable assessment of candidates. NSALK has several research projects related to training, validation and development of simulators.

NSALK also cooperates closely with the national center for ultrasound and image guided therapy in laparoscopic surgery, through which the navigation platform "Custus X" has been developed.

Published articles since 2009:

Martins Catia, Strømmen Magnus, Stavne Ola A, Nossum Randi, Mårvik Ronald, Kulseng Bård. Bariatric surgery versus lifestyle interventions for morbid obesity--changes in body weight, risk factors and comorbidities at 1 year. Obes Surg 2011 Jul;21(7):841-9.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=20379796

Monica Schwartz Sellæg, Ulla Romild, Esther Kuhry
Prevention of tape blisters after hip replacement surgery: A randomized clinical trial
International Journal of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing: Volume 16, Issue 1, February 2012, Pages 39–46
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1878124111000426

Langø Thomas, Vijayan Sinara, Rethy Anna, Våpenstad Cecilie, Solberg Ole Vegard, Mårvik Ronald, Johnsen Gjermund, Hernes Toril N
Navigated laparoscopic ultrasound in abdominal soft tissue surgery: technological overview and perspectives.
Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2011 Sep. Epub 2011 sep 3
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=21892604

Farup Per G, Blix Ivar, Førre Sigurd, Johnsen Gjermund, Lange Ove, Johannessen Rune, Petersen Hermod
What causes treatment failure - the patient, primary care, secondary care or inadequate interaction in the health services?
BMC Health Serv Res 2011;11():111. Epub 2011 mai 20
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=21599926

Galmiche Jean-Paul, Hatlebakk Jan, Attwood Stephen, Ell Christian, Fiocca Roberto, Eklund Stefan, Långström Göran, Lind Tore, Lundell Lars, PubMed.ItemsChoiceType2[]
Laparoscopic antireflux surgery vs esomeprazole treatment for chronic GERD: the LOTUS randomized clinical trial.
JAMA 2011 May;305(19):1969-77.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=21586712


Mårvik, Ronald
Har gode ergonomiske instrumenter betydning ved laparoskopisk kirurgi?
Kirurgen 3/2011
http://www.kirurgen.no/fagstoff/minimalt-invasiv-kirurgi/har-gode-ergonomiske-instrumenter-betydning-ved-laparoskopisk-kirurgi?searched=m%C3%A5rvik&advsearch=oneword&highlight=ajaxSearch_highlight+ajaxSearch_highlight1

Vapenstad C, Marvik R (2011) Opplæring og kvalitetssikring av motoriske ferdigheter hos laparoskopiske kirurger.

Vapenstad C, Rethy A, Lango T, Selbekk T, Ystgaard B, Hernes TA, Marvik R (2010) Laparoscopic ultrasound: a survey of its current and future use, requirements, and integration with navigation technology. Surg Endosc 24:2944-2953