[Open laparoscopic approach--an alterative to the Veress needle. Experiences after 1,000 laparoscopies]

Efficacy of establishment of pneumoperitoneum with the Veress needle, Hasson trocar, and modified blunt trocar (TrocDoc): a randomized study

PURPOSE

To compare three techniques of establishment of pneumoperitoneum for efficacy: the Veress needle/first trocar, the Hasson trocar, and a newly developed modified blunt trocar, the TrocDoc.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between June and December 1999, 62 patients eligible for laparoscopic surgery were randomized. The effectiveness of installation of the pneumoperitoneum using the three techniques was assessed by time-motion analysis. Primary efficacy measures were total time and number of actions required to establish the pneumoperitoneum. Secondary efficacy measures were procedure-related complications, wound complications, and occurrence of CO2 leakage.

RESULTS

Two patients were withdrawn from inclusion. The three groups were comparable for age and body mass index. Total time was shortest using the TrocDoc rather than the Veress needle/first trocar and the Hasson trocar (respectively, 138 +/- 58 v 237 +/- 56 v 350 +/- 103 seconds), and the number of actions was lowest for the Veress needle/first trocar combination: 22 +/- 7 v 32 +/- 12 (TrocDoc) v 53 +/- 17 (Hasson). There was no morbidity related to the installation of pneumoperitoneum nor trocar wound complications. Gas leakage occurred in five of the Hasson introductions.

CONCLUSIONS

Establishment of the pneumoperitoneum is more efficient using the TrocDoc compared with the Veress needle/first trocar and the Hasson trocar. The TrocDoc might replace the two alternatives because of its efficacy and open method of introduction.

Establishment of pneumoperitoneum with a modified blunt trocar

Veress needle and trocar-related accidents have caused many surgeons to adopt the Hasson technique for establishment of pneumoperitoneum, but this technique also has drawbacks. A modification of the sharp trocar has been developed that overcomes the disadvantages of the Veress needle and Hasson trocar.

Laparoscopic surgery complications associated with trocar tip design: review of literature and own results

In the last 10 years, there has not been an abdominal surgical procedure that has not been performed by laparoscopic means. The enthusiasm of surgeons active in this field often neglects problems, especially with basic instruments which are important vehicles for the laparoscopic technique. The purpose of this study was to focus on trocar-related problems with special respect to the tip design. On the basis of a prospective study of laparoscopic transperitoneal hernia repair (TAPP) and laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication, we evaluated our data concerning trocar-related complications at the abdominal wall. We compared two groups of patients treated in a nonrandomized design with either sharp cutting single-use trocars or cone-shaped non-cutting reuseable trocars. The evaluation of our own data showed an incisional hernia in 1.83% of patients treated with a sharp trocar tip, a complication which could be significantly lowered, to 0.17%, with a conic tip design. Similar results could be seen with trocar-related bleeding events at the insertion site in the abdominal wall. In most publications, trocar design and related complications are unmentioned. Our data demonstrate a reasonable benefit for a conic tip design, which enables atraumatic insertion through the abdominal wall. The reuseable steel version furthermore holds a considerable cost-saving potential.