A Modified Fisherman's Knot for Laparoscopic Suturing

Suturing is an essential surgical technique, because there is no resection without the need for reconstruction. Therefore, every surgeon should master a set of suturing techniques so he can adapt his approach to the specificity of the situation. The development of laparoscopic surgery poses a new challenge as not all open techniques are amendable for laparoscopic use. We would like to propose a modified fisherman's knot, which has been optimised in our center for laparoscopic use. The technique can be used with every monofilament non-braided wire. The needle is placed through the tissue to be sutured and both wires are externalised through the trocar. First, a simple knot is placed by crossing the left over the right wire. Next, the left is turned around the right wire four times proximal to the starting knot and crossed to the left wire where an additional two turns are made moving away from the trocar. The knot is closed gently, making sure not to lock the knot. Then the instrument of Drouard is used to gently glide the knot over the right wire back through the trocar into the abdomen. After making sure that adequate pressure has been delivered to the knot, to firmly close the tissue, the wire must be cut at a length of at least 3 mm. A new wire should be used for every knot and in this manner several knots can be delivered to make sure the tissue is adequately closed. In our center, no known complications due to loosening or failure of these knots have occurred since we incorporated this knotting technique into our daily practice more than 20 years ago.