Complications of Veress Needle Versus Open Technique in Abdominal Surgeries

Introduction In any laparoscopic procedure, the first and most important step is abdominal entry. This is followed by the creation of pneumoperitoneum, which is essential for lifting the abdominal wall off of the internal organs and visualizing the entered space. However, the entry and establishment of pneumoperitoneum are not without risks and complications, the most serious of which include vascular injuries and bowel perforations in all the different techniques used. The most commonly used techniques for abdominal entry are the closed (Veress) and open (Hasson) techniques, the choice of which varies according to the surgeon's preference and other regional and local factors. Aim To compare the outcomes between the open technique and the Veress needle for accessing the peritoneum during laparoscopic surgery. Methodology This was a retrospective cohort study that aimed to compare the outcomes between the Veress needle and the open technique for entering the peritoneum in laparoscopic surgeries. A chart review was used as an instrument to collect data. The study was conducted in King Abdul-Aziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All patients who underwent abdominal laparoscopic surgery from 2006 to 2016 were included. Results We analyzed 365 patients who underwent laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The mean age of the patients was 32.6 years. The most common postoperative complication occurring during the admission period was abdominal pain (40.5%). Postoperative complications during admission were significantly associated with the type of needle used (χ2=10.641; p=0.001). Conclusion The type of technique used for entry and peritoneal access was associated with the occurrence of postoperative complications in abdominal surgeries. Thus, the choice of open or Veress technique for peritoneal access should be individualized based on factors such as patient sex, clinical diagnosis, and most importantly, the surgeons' experience and preference.