A surgical stereoscopic observation apparatus has a pair of main optical paths A and a pair of secondary optical paths B, an aligning direction of the paths B differing by 90 degrees from that of the paths A. The main and secondary optical paths involve imaging elements D1 and D2, respectively. This apparatus is able to provide not only electronic images oriented for a main operator and an assistant positioned opposite to the main operator but also electronic images orientated for an assistant positioned on the left or right side of the main operator, thereby allowing the main operator and assistants to cooperatively conduct an operation.