Laparoscopic aortic surgery: recent development in instrumentation

In addition to conventional and endovascular techniques, laparoscopic surgery is becoming a third way to treat patients with aortoiliac occlusive or aneurysmal diseases. Several different laparoscopic techniques are available, but most authors are stressing the need for development of specific laparoscopic aortic instruments, to decrease the operative and clamping times and reduce the learning curve. Our experience of more than 150 patients who underwent a laparoscopic abdominal or thoracic aortic reconstruction, has lead us to imagine the instruments that may facilitate these procedures, and then to create a society with Vascular Surgeons and Biomedical Engineers, called PROTOMED, which may conceive, develop, and test new medical instruments. This Chapter presents an overview of what is available currently, such as laparoscopic aortic clamps or laparoscopic intestinal retractors; others are in the experimental stage, such as laparoscopic aortic staplers, anastomotic devices, and robotic surgical systems. This important technologic challenge should lead to 2 major orientations: development of qualitative in vitro and in vivo experiments to test these new products, and training courses to teach their use. Minimally aggressive techniques are well adapted to a western population growing older and has access to constantly improving medical care; however, only specific and ergonomic instruments will allow these new techniques to be widely embraced by the vascular surgical community.