Abdominal access
techniques (including
laparoscopic access)
Cara Baker
Ralph Smith
Sukhpal Singh
Abstract
This article discusses the safe exposure of intra-abdominal organs using
laparoscopy and laparotomy. Newer methods of minimal access surgery
including single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), and natural orifice
transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) are also discussed. Common
abdominal incisions are illustrated.
transluminal
D
B
Introduction
G
H
I
J
K
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A
C
Name of Incision
A Palmers point
B Kochers
Open cholecystectomy
C Rooftop
Liver surgery
D Mercedes Benz
Liver transplantation
E Midline
F Paramedian
G Transverse
Closure of stomas
H Gridiron
Open appendicectomy
(now old fashioned)
I Lanz
Open appendicectomy
J Rutherford Morrison
Renal transplant
(either on left or right side of abdomen)
K Pfannenstiel
Figure 1
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ABDOMINAL SURGERY
most commonly infra- or supra-umbilical, longitudinal or transverse, depending on surgeon preference; the intended procedure
and risk of conversion; surface anatomy; previous scars.
Important adjuncts to optimizing access at laparoscopy are
catheterizing the bladder to allow better views of the pelvis, and
decompressing the stomach with a naso/orogastric tube.
Closed method
The closed method uses a spring-loaded Veress needle to insufflate the peritoneal cavity with carbon dioxide followed by blind
introduction of the first port. The anterior abdominal wall is often
elevated to provide countertraction, traditionally manually, more
usually with skin clips, or following dissection down to the
umbilical cicatrix-linea alba junction and elevation with clips or
sutures (Figure 2). The needle angulation should vary from 90
in overweight or obese to 45 in thin patients. As the needle
traverses the abdominal wall two clicks/points of resistance
should be noted, the first passing through the linea alba and the
second entering the peritoneal cavity. Confirmation of the correct
position can be by several methods as well as the double click,
these include:
Drapes
The prepared area of the skin and drape fenestration should be
sufficiently large to accommodate extension of the incision, the
need for additional incisions, and all potential drain or stoma sites.
The passage of bacteria through surgical drapes is a potential
cause of wound infection so the drape type should be appropriate
for that procedure. Drapes may be permeable linen or impermeable (disposable or non-disposable). Impermeable drapes result in
significantly fewer bacteria in the operative field and wound
compared with permeable linen drapes (through which bacteria
can easily penetrate). Adhesive plastic drapes, with or without
iodine impregnation, through which the surgeon makes the incision are sometimes used, however a systematic review has shown
no evidence of reduced surgical-site infection and some evidence
of increased infection rates (relative risk 1.23, p 0.03).2
Laparoscopy
Laparoscopy provides a less traumatic access to all parts of the
abdominal cavity, superb views of anatomy, excellent cosmetic
result and an attenuated stress response to surgery.
The pneumoperitoneum may be achieved via open (Hasson) or
closed (Veress needle, see below) methods. The initial incision is
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ABDOMINAL SURGERY
Figure 3 Insertion of the first trocar following induction of pneumoperitoneum with Veress needle (Figure 2). The index finger prevents the trocar
from being fully inserted.
Figure 2 Veress needle insertion. (a) Following incision just below the
umbilicus, the umbilicus is elevated with a towel clip and the stalk is
dissected and the junction with the linea alba defined. (b) Insertion of the
Veress needle. The needle is held halfway down the shaft with the tap
open. The ring and little finger stabilize the needle as it is advanced
through the abdominal wall at the base of the umbilicus with abdominal
wall elevation as countertraction.
Complications of laparoscopy
Specific
Immediate: extraperitoneal insufflation, injury to viscera or blood
vessels, intra-abdominal, of the abdominal wall or retroperitoneum
Early: pain in shoulder tip
Late: incisional (port site) hernia, metastases at port site
Open methods
The first method is essentially a mini-laparotomy, whereby the
linea alba is identified, incised, the peritoneum identified,
elevated with two clips, and incised (Figure 4). The main
problem with this method is that there is often a gas leak, which
may be minimized by using a threaded Hasson cannula or
balloon-tip port.
The second semi-open method involves incising the umbilical
ligament: the central part of the umbilicus is elevated with
a towel clip and a 1 cm transverse or longitudinal skin incision
made. The umbilical ligament is identified, grasped, and an
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General
Immediate: bradycardia, inadequate oxygenation secondary to
diaphragmatic splinting by excessive peritoneal insufflation or
extreme head-down position in an obese patient, reduced
venous return, pneumothorax, pneumomediastinum, gas
embolism
Early: deep vein thrombosis/pulmonary embolism, hypothermia,
nausea and vomiting
Box 1
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Figure 6 Ports and trocars. (a) Radially expanding, (b) retractable bladed, (c) balloon and (d) optical (reproduced with permission from Covidien
Autosuture).
Laparotomy
There must be sufficient exposure to allow the procedure to be
done efficiently and safely. The required exposure depends on:
the diagnosis (if known) and the planned surgery
whether surgery is elective or emergency
the speed at which exposure must be achieved
whether exposure can be increased if required by extending the incision
previous surgical history, scars and body habitus
potential placement of stomas.
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Complications of laparotomy
Specific
Immediate: injury to adherent intra-abdominal structures
Early: wound infection, wound dehiscence
Late: incisional hernia, poor cosmetic result, adhesions
General
Early: cardiovascular (myocardial infarction/arrhythmias) respiratory (basal atelectasis, pneumonia, deep vein thrombosis/
pulmonary embolism), renal failure
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Box 2
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wound infection
conditions associated with impaired healing of wounds
(e.g. diabetes mellitus, corticosteroid therapy, malnutrition,
morbid obesity, smoking, pulmonary disease, malignancy,
age).
Good access is fundamental to successful surgery, but optimizing access requires careful planning. This is relatively
straightforward for elective surgery but, for emergencies, careful preoperative examination, patient positioning and an
appropriately sited incision allows the operation to proceed
smoothly and successfully. Increasingly, enhanced recovery
programmes are being used with laparoscopic and open surgery
to reduce surgical stress and optimize patient recovery after
surgery.
A
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REFERENCES
1 Darouiche RO, Wall MJ, Itani KMF, et al. Chorhexidine-alcohol versus
povidone-iodine for surgical-site antisepsis. New Engl J Med 2010; 362:
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2 Webster J, Alghamdi AA. Use of plastic adhesive drapes during surgery
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3 Auyang ED, Samtos BF, Enter DH, Hungness ES, Soper NJ. Natural
orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES): a technical review.
Surg Endosc 2011; 25: 3135e48.
4 Stevens P. Vacuum-assisted closure of laparostomy wounds: a critical
review of the literature. Int Wound J 2009 Aug; 6: 259e66.
FURTHER READING
Ahmad NZ, Ahmed A. Metaanalysis of the effectiveness of surgical scalpel
or diathermy in making abdominal skin incisions. Ann Surg 2011; 253:
8e13.
Ellis H. Cambridge illustrated history of surgery, Greenwich Medical Media;
2000. Cambridge University Press
Santos BF, Hungness ES. Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery:
progress in humans since white paper. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17:
1655e65.
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