Jugaad Trocar for a 5-mm Laparoscopic Cannula

Area of Science:

• Minimally Invasive Surgery
• Surgical Instrumentation
• Rural Healthcare

Background:

• Laparoscopic surgery is increasingly performed in diverse settings, including remote rural areas.
• Challenges in rural surgical practice include instrument availability and logistical issues.
• The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated supply chain problems for surgical equipment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the critical impact of a single missing instrument on laparoscopic procedures in rural settings.
• To underscore the logistical difficulties faced during mobile laparoscopic surgery outreach programs.
• To emphasize the need for robust instrument management systems in remote surgical services.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing an incident during mobile laparoscopic surgery in rural India.
• Description of challenges encountered due to a lost 5-mm trocar.
• Exploration of the implications of instrument unavailability on surgical scheduling and patient care.

Main Results:

• A single lost 5-mm trocar necessitated the potential postponement of a scheduled laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
• Procurement of a replacement instrument was hindered by distance and the COVID-19 situation.
• The incident demonstrated the vulnerability of remote surgical services to minor logistical failures.

Conclusions:

• Instrument availability is a critical factor for the success of mobile laparoscopic surgery in underserved regions.
• Contingency planning and improved inventory management are essential for rural surgical outreach.
• Addressing instrument loss and failure is crucial to ensure timely patient care and avoid procedure abandonment.