Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and the "soft trocar"

We have devised a new "soft trocar" for laparoscopic surgery. This translucent trocar, made of silicon, has a flexible sleeve that permits a curved instrument to pass through. Eighteen patients underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy with the use of the soft trocar. There were no complications related to its use. The soft trocar is useful during laparoscopic cholecystectomy because it is radiolucent, a curved forceps can be inserted, and it is potentially less traumatic to the abdominal viscera than a standard trocar.