Laparoscopy - quick poll on new device

[ramblinwreckie]

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Hey all,

I'm in my residency research years (back in school) and working on a capstone class project. We're looking to develop a new laparoscopic instrument, and we're trying to gauge some market interest among residents/attendings. The device isn't entirely novel in its application, but it's essentially a grasper/retractor for use during laparoscopy with a new twist negating the need for an incision. Its main application would be during a lap chole with the goal of eliminating the need for a surgical assistant to retract the gallbladder fundus cephalad as well as allow for easy, one-surgeon manipulation of the infundibulum while dissecting. In theory, it would allow for single-surgeon lap choles and facilitate single-incision retraction. Without going into the technical details (which are in their infancy), would you consider using this type of instrument if cost-effective and easy to use?

Thanks so much!

 

[LucidSplash]

Hey all,

I'm in my residency research years (back in school) and working on a capstone class project. We're looking to develop a new laparoscopic instrument, and we're trying to gauge some market interest among residents/attendings. The device isn't entirely novel in its application, but it's essentially a grasper/retractor for use during laparoscopy with a new twist negating the need for an incision. Its main application would be during a lap chole with the goal of eliminating the need for a surgical assistant to retract the gallbladder fundus cephalad as well as allow for easy, one-surgeon manipulation of the infundibulum while dissecting. In theory, it would allow for single-surgeon lap choles and facilitate single-incision retraction. Without going into the technical details (which are in their infancy), would you consider using this type of instrument if cost-effective and easy to use?

Thanks so much!

No. We already do this by using two Kelly clamps to secure the fundus grasper in place if we need to. No need for a special grasper.

 

[SLUser11]

Hey all,

I'm in my residency research years (back in school) and working on a capstone class project. We're looking to develop a new laparoscopic instrument, and we're trying to gauge some market interest among residents/attendings. The device isn't entirely novel in its application, but it's essentially a grasper/retractor for use during laparoscopy with a new twist negating the need for an incision. Its main application would be during a lap chole with the goal of eliminating the need for a surgical assistant to retract the gallbladder fundus cephalad as well as allow for easy, one-surgeon manipulation of the infundibulum while dissecting. In theory, it would allow for single-surgeon lap choles and facilitate single-incision retraction. Without going into the technical details (which are in their infancy), would you consider using this type of instrument if cost-effective and easy to use?

Thanks so much!

Not to be a buzzkill, but most lap choles across the country are "single surgeon." The only assistant necessary is one to hold and manipulate the camera, and several devices already exist for mechanical camera stabilization.

Single-incision gallbag surgery is an entirely different topic in itself, and studies are coming out all the time showing a lack of benefit vs. a multi-port approach.

For the fundus, most of us just secure the grasper to the drapes with a couple clamps.

Of course, I say all this, but I've been wrong before. I've seen several devices that seem like a waste of time and money advertised in things like the "General Surgery News" that I've never personally used, but there must be a market for them. For example, at my new institution, cholangiograms are extremely rare, and when performed, they are done exclusively with a Kumar clamp. I had a chief resident look at me like I was crazy when I asked him to perform a ductotomy on the cystic duct and directly insert a cholangiocatheter. I had an even harder time getting the actual equipment in the OR.

Quick question to the OP: Did you vote on your own poll? I noticed 2 votes No, and 1 vote Yes......

 

[ramblinwreckie]

Thanks for the feedback.

It's hard to go into the specifics without touching on IP issues, but the system allows for real-time, easily manipulatable retraction without the need for an incision (retractor does not go through the body wall, but is manipulated externally in real-time). So, the surgeon would dissect as usual with one hand and run the camera with the other. Both other retractors (our system) would be manipulated by something on the outside abdominal wall (that the surgeon could move at will).