Instruments and Equipment for a Laparoscopic Appendectomy

Appendicitis, or inflammation of the appendix, can require either an open or a laparoscopic appendectomy. The laparoscopic method is a minimally invasive surgical technique that requires three or four small abdominal incisions, followed by the insertion of microscopic cameras and surgical instruments. The first laparoscopic appendectomy was performed in 1981. Today, it is a common treatment for acute appendicitis.

Trocars

• A trocar is a sharply pointed shaft that usually has a three-sided point. In laparoscopic appendectomies, surgeons use three trocars to create ports (or incisions) for surgical instruments and the microscopic camera. These trocars measure 5-12mm, 5-11mm and 5mm.

  The surgeon uses trocars to create ports in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen (RUQ), the sub-umbilical position, and the supra-pubic position.

Instruments to Enhance Surgical Viewing

• Laparoscopic technique uses three instruments to enhance the surgeon's view of the abdominal cavity without making large incisions:

  Insufflator

  Veress needle

  Laparoscope

  The Veress needle pumps carbon dioxide from the insufflator into the abdominal cavity to increase the amount of surgical space, and the laparoscope provides the surgeon with a large image of the surgical space.

Surgical Instruments

• Removing the appendix requires creating mesenteric windows and knots with the following instruments:

  5mm claw grasper

  5mm dolphin-nose grasper

  Endo GIA™ 30 with cartridges (white/blue)

  After the surgeon creates a mesenteric window with the dolphin-nose grasper, she uses the Endo GIA™ to sever the appendix.

Retrieval of Severed Appendix

• After severing the appendix, the surgeon uses the Endo Catch™ 10mm to retrieve it.

  The surgeon inserts the Endo Catch™ into the RUQ trocar port, and uses a grasper to place the appendix into the Endo Catch™ and remove it from the abdominal cavity.