Mini-laparoscopy: Early experience and findings

Summary

Using a novel mini-laparoscope, 1.8 mm in diameter, passed through a modified Veress needle we have prospectively evaluated 12 patients undergoing subsequent formal laparoscopy. Following routine insufflation, the Veress needle is removed leaving a 3 mm plastic sheath through which the mini-laparoscope is introduced. Without the aid of further ports a record was made of structures identified. The structures successfully identified were as follows: liver, 12; gall bladder, 7; stomach, 12; small bowel, 12; large bowel, 11; appendix, 5; ovaries, 3 (or six females); and inguinal anatomy, 11. Although this procedure can easily be performed under local anaesthesia the short focal length of the optics restricts the visual field. For high diagnostic accuracy to be achieved, extra manipulating instruments would be required to allow satisfactory abdominal examination. Further experience of this system is now being obtained at laparoscopy for abdominal emergencies.

Key Words:

• laparoscopy
• diagnosis
• microlaparoscopy
• technique