Comparison and analysis of laparoscopic intracorporeal suturing devices: preliminary results

One of the most challenging aspects of laparoscopic surgery is intracorporeal suturing and knot tying. A loss of depth perception and tactile sense and visual obstruction make placing accurate and well-tied knots a difficult and time-consuming task. Two devices conceived to ease the task of suturing and knotting while presumably speeding performance are the Suture Assist (SA; Ethicon Endo-Surgery) and EndoStitch (ES; US Surgical/Tyco). We set out to objectively assess suture placement accuracy and knot speed and strength of these two suturing devices and conventional laparoscopic suturing (CS).

To date, six surgeons with laparoscopic experience were trained on the three suturing techniques. A pelvic trainer was set up with a freshly marked and incised swine renal pelvis and ureter. Each surgeon placed four sutures of 2-0 polyester suture with each technique (repeated on three separate occasions) with five half-hitches for a total of 216 knots. Time, strength, and accuracy were measured for each suture/knot placement. The knot distance was then measured from the marked target using calipers and carefully dissected from the tissue. Each knot was individually tested on a Monsanto Model 10 tensiometer, whereby slippage, strength, and breakage points were determined.

The mean times (min:sec) and accuracy (millimeters) were as following: CS 5:08 and 0.457, ES 2:45 and 0.660, and SA 2:40 and 0.508. The difference in time was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001), while the difference in accuracy was not. Only 182 of 216 knots were able to be included for analysis because of either a small knot lumen or device failure. Device failures necessitating intervention were encountered only with the SA, which had a misfire rate of 9.7% (7 of 72). The mean knot strength was measured at 41.1 N for CS, 57.3 N for SA, and 28.0 for ES. Knot break percentage (breakage) was calculated as 50.8% for CS, 20.7% for ES, and 95% for SA.

Preliminary results show that each of the laparoscopic suturing devices has distinct advantages over conventional intracorporeal suturing and tying. Decreased times and comparable, if not greater, knot strengths may translate into improved laparoscopic suturing/tying performance for laparoscopic intracorporeal suturing devices.