Small-diameter laparoscopy (SDL) using a microlaparoscope.

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine the ability of new sub-2.0-mm-diameter microlaparoscopes to be used for diagnostic laparoscopy, 28 small-diameter laparoscopies (SDL) were performed during a 4-month-period. METHODS: These cases were performed under general anesthesia, with immediate follow-up confirmation with conventional laparoscopic equipment. An additional 13 SDL procedures were performed under analgosedation plus local anesthesia and were well tolerated by the patients. RESULTS: For the cases performed with conventional laparoscopic control, the visualization results were comparable in 27 of 28 procedures. In the nongeneral anesthesia SDL group, patients were highly satisfied and reported less post-procedural discomfort and minimal scar formation due to the smaller access ports. In this study, two types of microlaparoscopes were used. CONCLUSIONS: While both were adequate, the newer high-resolution microlaparoscope delivered an image much more similar to that which conventional laparoscopy and required little or no change in technique in order to obtain images. With the advent of this new endoscope technology with optics performance comparable to that of conventional laparoscopes, SDL has demonstrated to be a useful procedure for certain clinical indications.