Mini-laparoscopy and fiber-optic lasers.

The use of the Adair Verres needle and an optical catheter system has enabled us to perform both diagnostic and laser mini-laparoscopy. The prefix mini refers to the fact that the three incisions placed in the abdomen were 3 mm in diameter. There were no complications in our pilot series. Because initial inspections of the abdomen may localize abnormalities such as intestinal adhesions and may show the surgeon a safer approach to subsequent trocar placement, nothing is lost and much may be gained by routinely performing mini-laparoscopy. The picture produced on the video monitor is now of excellent quality and seems likely to improve. In the near future, a three-chip camera, which is able to produce even better resolution, will become available. The further development of 3-mm instrumentation promises additional expansion in operative capability. Although mini-laparoscopy will not replace conventional operative laparoscopy with the 10-mm telescope in the near future, a significant proportion of diagnostic and minimally to moderately involved operative procedures may be safely carried out by this method.