A multicentric prospective study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Kii® Fios® First Entry Trocar in laparoscopic bariatric surgery

Primary entry trocar design and entry-related complications at laparoscopy in obese patients: meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Safe primary entry at laparoscopy could present challenges in obese patients. Various techniques have been proposed in previous studies, however, the characteristics of the actual device utilized may be more influential than the technique in achieving successful abdominal entry in patients with increased BMI.

METHODS

This systematic review and meta-analysis included both randomized and non-randomized studies gathered with no date filters from MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science and Clinicaltrials.gov. PRISMA guidelines underpinned the conduct and reporting of the review. The meta-analysis of proportions was conducted using a generalized linear mixed model and analyses included random-effects models. The primary outcome was the proportion of first access vascular and visceral injuries incurred in the process of laparoscopic abdominal surgery in patients with a BMI >30 kg/m2. Subgroup analysis was performed for optical versus non-optically enabled devices.

RESULTS

In total, 5403 patients were analysed across 13 observational studies with a mean BMI of 45.93 kg/m2. In 216 patients from two randomized studies, the mean BMI was 39.92 kg/m2. The overall incidence using a random-effects model was 8.1 per 1000 events of visceral and vascular injuries (95 per cent c.i. 0.003 to 0.024). Heterogeneity was statistically significant at I2 = 80.5 per cent (69.6 per cent; 87.5 per cent, P< 0.0001). In a subgroup analysis, a tendency towards reduced injuries when optical devices were employed was observed with one per 100 injuries in these trocars (95 per cent c.i. 0.001 to 0.018) versus four per 100 (95 per cent c.i. -0.019 to -0.102) in non-optically enabled devices.

CONCLUSION

Injuries during primary laparoscopic entry undertaken in obese patient groups are uncommon. Due to considerable heterogeneity in the small number of examined studies, evidence was insufficient and largely of low quality to ascribe differences in the incidence of injuries to the characteristics of the primary entry trocar utilized.

Initial entry via the left upper quadrant with an optical trocar in laparoscopic bariatric surgery

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic bariatric surgery (BS) is not readily performed in Japan. To facilitate safe initial access to the abdominal cavity, we insert an optical viewing trocar at a unique site in the left upper quadrant (LUQ). Herein, we describe the technique, its advantages, and outcomes.

MATERIALS AND SURGICAL TECHNIQUE

Briefly, the optical trocar is inserted just below the left subcostal margin, 8 cm from the midline. On insertion, layers of the abdominal wall are visualized on the monitor. Depending on the angle of insertion, five, seven, or eight layers are seen.

DISCUSSION

In assessing our initial entry technique, used in 21 obese patients undergoing laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy, we found median insertion time to be 25 seconds. There were no related complications. In nearly all (20/21) patients, the abdominal wall was visualized as seven layers: subcutaneous fat, anterior rectus sheath, rectus abdominis muscle, posterior rectus sheath, transverse abdominis muscle, transversalis fascia, and peritoneum. Understanding the layers of the abdominal wall visualized during optical trocar insertion in the LUQ will provide for safe and rapid initial entry in patients undergoing laparoscopic BS and can further the widespread acceptance of laparoscopic BS.

The use of optical trocars in abdominal entry among patients with obesity - A case series

Introduction

Bariatric and metabolic procedures are becoming more common worldwide and laparoscopic surgery is the primary method to perform these operations. Accessing the peritoneum remains a challenge in obese patients and this study aims to assess the safety of optical trocars in bariatric surgery.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted on all patients that have undergone bariatric surgery in our center between the years of 2017–2019 to examine the method by which pneumoperitoneum was established. We studied the incidence and type of complications associated with creating pneumoperitoneum in obese patients, along with the rates of converting to an open procedure.

Results

A total of 821 patients underwent bariatric surgery in our center over the 3 year period. They had an average age of 34.2 years (range = 13–65) with an average BMI of 45.9 kg/m². Optical trocars successfully established pneumoperitoneum in all these patients. Complications attributed to optical trocar entry were encountered in 8 patients (0.97%), 3 males and 5 females. The average BMI of these 8 patients is 52.7 kg/m², 4 of which had a BMI >50 kg/m². The complications encountered included 3 liver lacerations, 4 mesenteric injuries and 1 omental vessel laceration. Four injuries were caused by 12 mm optical trocars while the other 4 injuries were caused by 5 mm optical trocars. These complications were managed laparoscopically and no patients had to be converted to a laparotomy.

Conclusion

The use of non-bladed, optical trocar entry into the abdomen can be considered a safe method in the establishment of pneumoperitoneum in patients with obesity. However, more studies are required randomizing the use of optical trocars to the open Hasson technique in order to further validate this method.

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The establishment of pneumoperitoneum is a challenge in patients with obesity.

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Optical trocars are thought to facilitate abdominal entry amongst obese patients.

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The use of optical trocars in the establishment of pneumoperitoneum carries a low complication rate.

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None of the noted complications caused any mortality with no patients requiring conversion to open surgery.

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Use of non bladed optical trocars for abdominal entry is a safe method in the establishment of pneumoperitoneum.

Optimizing first trocar access for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: Optical trocar access through the upper abdominal quadrant using the Kii Fios First Entry trocar

OBJECTIVES

A pre-equipped metal trocar is required to use as a camera trocar due to a specification change in the da Vinci X/Xi system (Intuitive Surgical). We observed slight slippage of a trocar placed by the open method. With optical trocar access (OTA), the initial trocar is viewed directly with a laparoscope during placement. Reports regarding OTA for robotic surgery are limited, particularly for robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). We modified the OTA procedure such that it was appropriate for RARP.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 158 patients were enrolled in this study. The first trocar placement time (FTPT) was compared between the open and OTA groups. In the OTA group, the trocar was mainly placed through the upper abdominal quadrant. We also analyzed the differences between the conventional and modified OTA procedures using the Kii Fios First Entry trocar (Applied Medical). We examined the factors affecting the FTPT using linear regression models. A P value <.05 was considered significant.

RESULTS

The FTPT was significantly shorter in the OTA group than the open group (P < .0001). The modified method was associated with a shorter FTPT (P = .0001). None of the patient characteristics affected the FTPT in either group. No major complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

OTA was applied successfully during RARP. Use of the Kii Fios First Entry trocar with upper abdominal quadrant placement was suitable for RARP.

Randomized control trial on effectiveness and safety of direct trocar versus Veress needle entry techniques in obese women during diagnostic laparoscopy

PURPOSE

To determine the benefits and safety of direct trocar insertion versus Veress needle technique in obese women undertaking diagnostic laparoscopy procedures.

METHODS

Randomized-controlled trial on 135 obese women undergoing diagnostic laparoscopy and dye test for infertility was conducted. Women were randomly assigned to either direct trocar access (n = 68) or Veress needle access (n = 67) before achieving pneumoperitoneum. The same surgeon executed the laparoscopic techniques with a single-puncture technique. The primary outcome measures included total length of the procedure and incidence of any complications, while the mean laparoscopic entry time, volume of CO₂ required, and total of tries needed to attain successful entry were secondary outcomes. Intention-to-treat principle was applied to analysis.

RESULTS

Women in both groups had similar socio-demographic and clinical characteristics and none were lost to follow-up. The overall length of the procedure was significantly lesser in the direct trocar group compared to the Veress needle group (9.9 ± 6.0 vs 16.7 ± 4.7 min; p < 0.001). No significant differences occurred in other outcomes including mean entry time, volume of CO₂ used, number of attempts for successful entry, and major/minor complications (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Direct trocar technique may be an effective alternative to Veress needle for pneumoperitoneum in obese women for diagnostic laparoscopy. It has a comparable rapid laparoscopic entry time but a significantly lower duration of the procedure and shorter exposure to anesthesia. Both methods are equally effective as there was no significant difference in the complications recorded. A greater sample trial may be essential for more corroborative substantiation.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

PACTR201510000999192.

Complications of bariatric surgery in adolescents

Over the past decade, outcomes data have demonstrated the benefit of bariatric surgery in achieving both sustained weight loss and reversal of co-morbidities. Comparing these data to contemporary known risks of adolescent bariatric surgery informs the patients and providers considering bariatric procedures and provides insight into potential ways to reduce and manage complications. The goal of this article is to review the common surgical and postoperative complications following bariatric procedures and discuss approaches to improve their safety. A systematic review identifying bariatric surgery complications in adolescents was conducted. The review focused on the data relevant to adolescent bariatric surgery. However, when necessary, adult studies were used to address the gaps in available pediatric information. The data pertaining to the intraoperative, short term, and long term surgically related and nutritional related complications show that complication are declining with increasing experience. Specific recommendations and strategies to avoid major complications of bariatric surgery in adolescents are offered.

Optimal Initial Trocar Placement for Morbidly Obese Patients

Background and Objectives

Rates of morbid obesity are skyrocketing worldwide. Not only bariatric surgeons, but also general surgeons are often operating on morbidly obese patients. Many general surgeons still use the same anatomic landmarks for patients with body mass index (BMI) over 35 mg/kg² as they do for patients of normal weight and can therefore find accessing the morbidly obese abdominal organs difficult. This paper will describe a technique that is easily reproducible and applicable in a wide range of laparoscopic cases.

Method

The xiphoid process is the only landmark referenced. From the xiphoid process, the surgeon puts 2 fists together and places the first trocar inferiorly 2 cm lateral to the midline in either direction. The umbilicus is not used as a landmark. This placement is 15-18 cm inferior to the xiphoid process, but allows adequate visualization for any foregut case. An optical trocar is used.

Results

In over 1400 bariatric cases, the initial trocar was safely placed with this technique. Most of these cases were performed with the method, but some had one modification: the first trocar was placed in the midclavicular line in the subcostal area if there were previous midline scars. In no cases was an extra-long, or bariatric, trocar used.

Conclusions

Laparoscopic access in morbidly obese patients does not have to be difficult. Using an optical trocar off the midline 15-18 cm below the xiphoid process will provide reliable, safe access in the morbidly obese patient, with excellent visualization of the target anatomy.