A vertical scanning Doppler probe identifies blood vessels during laparoscopic surgery

Using a conventional Doppler probe, it is difficult to identify blood vessels precisely in lymph node dissection during laparoscopic surgery.

For 26 patients undergoing laparoscopic colectomy and 26 patients undergoing laparoscopic subtotal gastrectomy, we used conventional and vertical scanning Doppler probes to compare their ability to identify invisible blood vessels through differences in power output voltage.

The vertical scanning Doppler probe was 100% successful in identifying the target blood vessels regardless of the patient's body mass index (BMI), and also was superior to the conventional Doppler probe in detection sensitivity. The vertical scanning Doppler probe was useful for image training of recently qualified surgeons through real-time monitoring of the probe position and response on the monitor. Furthermore, findings showed that the vertical scanning Doppler probe was applicable to lymph node dissection as a forceps for laparoscopic usage.

The vertical scanning Doppler could identify the target blood vessels regardless of the patient's BMI. It was verified to be useful as a surgical assistive device apart from being a sensor and may serve in the education of recently qualified surgeons.