Laparoscopic surgery uses long, pencil-like instruments that are passed through small incisions in the abdominal wall, rather than the large incisions required for open surgery.
LAPAROSCOPIC INSTRUMENTS FOR A VARIETY OF PURPOSES
Laparoscopic instruments are made of durable materials and usually high quality stainless steel. Instruments all have a very narrow shaft so that they can fit inside laparoscopic ports. Sizes typically range from 3 mm, 5 mm and 10 mm sizes. A variety of tips are available for manipulating the tissue and handle styles may allow ergonomic rotating, grasping and locking abilities in a precise fashion.
Laparoscopic instruments are used with a laparoscope, a thin telescope equipped with a cold light source and a video camera. An inert gas such as carbon dioxide is used to inflate the abdomen, increasing the distance between the organs and the abdominal wall, thereby expanding the scope of the operation. Common instruments used in laparoscopic surgery include: laparoscope, needle driver, trocar, bowel grasper, and surgical mesh.
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy
It is one of the oldest instruments used by doctors since ancient times. Modern surgical laparoscopes, used for minimally invasive procedures, are a far cry from the simple hollow tubes that evolved to include lenses that magnify vision. Today, an oscilloscope is more like a multi-part device, including a CCD camera, viewing device, lens cleaner, and power supply.
needle driver
Laparoscopic surgeons use needle holders to hold suture needles while closing wounds. Forming slipknots to close wounds and surgical incisions requires precise skill. Sutures are often difficult to use because of the "memory" properties that cause tissue to resist deformation. Needle holders consist of three parts - the jaws, adapter and handle. Depending on the shape of the jaws, the instrument is either straight or curved.
trocar
Along with probes, scalpels, and cannulas, trocars are one of the oldest tools used by physicians. The trocar is shaped like a pen with a sharp triangular tip. A trocar is usually placed inside a hollow cannula and introduced into a body cavity to help drain fluid. Trocars are now known as initial access devices as well as hollow cannula used during surgery. These instruments play an important role in laparoscopic surgery. Use a surgical trocar to introduce instruments such as scissors and graspers.
intestinal forceps
Use of bowel graspers during minimally invasive bowel surgery. The grasper is manipulated through an incision usually no larger than 5 mm. The advantage of using laparoscopic graspers is that they allow the surgeon to precisely grasp and manipulate abdominal tissue without cutting the abdomen. The grabber facilitates observation, excision and biopsy procedures.
surgical mesh
