The driving force in trocar insertion: a comparison between disposable and reusable trocars.

BACKGROUND

Insertion of the first trocar during the "closed" technique of creating a pneumoperitoneum remains one of the most hazardous maneuvres in laparoscopic surgery, with complications such as major vascular and bowel injuries. The ease with which trocars are inserted through the abdominal wall may have some bearing on these complications.

METHODS

A range of both disposable and reusable trocars, which were identical in point cross section and size, were compared in an abdominal wall model reconstructed with animal hide, using a hand-held pressure transducer. Multiple insertions were performed, and the results were expressed in pounds per square inch (PSI).

RESULTS

The disposable trocar tested required the least effort to insert (mean pressure, 2.76 PSI), followed by the new reusable (mean pressure, 3.42 PSI), with the used reusable trocar requiring the greatest force for insertion (mean pressure, 4.80 PSI).

CONCLUSIONS

The effect of previous use on ease of insertion demonstrates an obvious disadvantage of reusable instruments. The excessive force required to insert some trocars may place the patient at greater risk of trocar injury.