System for providing situation-dependent, real-time visual support to a surgeon, with associated documentation and archiving of visual representations

A system for providing situation-dependent, real-time visual support to a surgeon during a surgical operation conducted at a surgical site, comprising:

• a visualization device that emits information, perceivable by the surgeon, concerning the surgical operation;
• a first video camera affixed to said visualization device and having a first field of view of the surgical site, said first video camera generating first image data representing said surgical site from said first field of view;
• a second video camera having a second field of view of the surgical site, different from said first field of view, said second video camera generating second image information representing said surgical site from said second field of view;
• and
• a central computing unit having a front end merger having an input connected to said first video camera for receiving said first image data therefrom, and an input having access to said second image data as well as additional data from at least one additional source, said front end merger controlling which of said first image data, said second data and said additional data is included in said information emitted to the surgeon by said visualization device.