Abdominal wall stability: a comparison of the optical trocar with a reusable laparoscopic trocar

The principal reason for employing an optical trocar has been described by Kaali.' The potential clinical benefits of a visually directed trocar entry system have been identified in a follow-up clinical series. 2 Current experience with the commercially developed Endopath Opt.iview" trocar has suggested an ad- ditional surgical advantage through an enhanced abdominal wall stability of the trocar sheath. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine whether or not this clinical observation could be mechanically quantified.