A Specific Instrument to Facilitate Thoracoscopic Ligation

Abstract

The rigid wall of the thoracic cavity provides an ideal cavity for minimally invasive surgery without the need for the cumbersome CO₂ insufflation that is essential to perform laparoscopic surgery. And by that, the novel ligation technique facilitating minithoracotomy, which we published before, is possible to be transferred to the video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). We attempt to modify the structure of the conventional right angle forceps and its usage so as to accommodate VATS. The unique shape of this instrument facilitates its passage through a trocar or a true VATS intercostal access instead of a rib spreading minithoracotomy. Its clinical performance renders that it a cheaper and better alternative to commercially available products. This new device has the potential to make a substantial contribution to the manual ligation practice of VATS.

Keywords

manual ligation - knot pusher - thoracoscopic surgery

• References

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