One simple rule of surgery is that if you can't see what you're doing, you can't do it well. The more complicated reality is that surgical lights must illuminate the surgical site without getting in the surgeon's way, drifting or emitting too much heat. That's a lot to consider, but if you invest in the right lighting system your surgeons can perform cases quickly and accurately. If you don't, poor lighting may factor in surgeon fatigue and avoidable complications.