Closed blunt-trocar 5 mm-port for primary cannulation in laparoscopic surgery: A safe technique

Primary cannulation of the peritoneal cavity is a critical part of laparoscopic surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and applicability of a direct blunt-port primary cannulation. The peritoneal cavity was accessed by direct trocar-port insertion at sites other than the umbilicus and avoiding abdominal scars. A 5-mm port with a smooth blunt tip conical trocar was employed using a closed technique. The closed blunt trocar-port technique for primary cannulation of the peritoneal cavity was applied in 503 of 524 patients (96%) who underwent laparoscopic surgery between 2002 and 2005. Some 199 patients (38%) had abdominal scars of previous surgery. There were no major complications, but minor complications occurred in 3 patients (0.6%). No bowel or retroperitoneal vascular injuries were encountered. The closed introduction of a blunt-tipped 5-mm port, conical-trocar is a simple technique for primary cannulation in laparoscopic surgery that allows safe and rapid access to the peritoneal.