Many new audiovisual techniques for surgical education are now available, and many others will be ready for use within two years. Films or video tapes may be of particular benefit to house staff and postgraduate surgeons interested in the continuous details of an operative technique. The cost may be decreased greatly if films and tapes gain wide use and distribution. The sound-on-slide or slide-with-tape recorder techniques currently are among the most economically feasible and practical methods available for student teaching due, in part, to the ease with which they may be updated. National medical video tape and film libraries will most likely play an important role in surgical education at all levels in the future.