Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2025
Single Port Donor Nephrectomy
Published on: March 12, 2011
Role of dedicated port cleaning devices in laparoscopic surgery
Shinnosuke Nagano1,2, Shota Fujii3, Kota Momose1,2
1Department of Next Generation Endoscopic Intervention (Project ENGINE), Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 1-3 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan.
Background:
Various techniques have been used to prevent smudge on a laparoscope when inserting through trocars; however, there has been no standardized method. The purpose of this study was to compare the performance of different cleaning techniques with or without using dedicated devices, and to evaluate the features of cleaning devices.
Methods:
The smudge was created in the standard 12-mm and 5-mm ports using pseudo-blood, and port cleaning was attempted using 5 different methods: (1) a surgical gauze + surgical forceps, (2) a surgical gauze + laparoscopic forceps, (3) a small laparoscopic gauze + laparoscopic forceps, (4) a cylinder-type cleaner (Endo Wiper; Osaki Medical), and (5) a swab-type cleaner (Port Cleaner; Hakuzo Medical). The "port cleaning rate" was calculated by measuring the absorbance of remained pseudo-blood after single cleaning procedure using UV spectrophotometry. In addition, the port cleaning rate was compared between two dedicated devices after multiple (5 times) cleaning procedures.
Results:
The two dedicated devices had a statistically higher cleaning rate for 12-mm port than the methods using surgical gauze (p < 0.05). Regarding the 5-mm port, a swab-type cleaner showed the highest cleaning rate than the gauze method and a cylinder-type cleaner (p < 0.05). After multiple cleaning procedures for 12-mm port, cleaning rate of a swab-type cleaner decreased by an average of 5.4% (p = 0.044), but cleaning rate did not decrease for a cylinder-type cleaner. Regarding the 5-mm port, cleaning rate statistically decreased for both two dedicated devices (p < 0.01).
Conclusion:
Higher port cleaning rates were observed in techniques using dedicated devices. A swab-type cleaner had better port cleaning rate in single use, especially for the 5-mm port. A cylinder-type cleaner showed higher durability in cleaning 12-mm port. The features of these dedicated devices should be well understood, and cleaning methods should be selected according to the environment and surgical techniques.
Insights
Dedicated cleaning devices significantly improve laparoscope port cleaning compared to traditional gauze methods. A swab-type cleaner excels in single use, while a cylinder-type cleaner offers better durability for 12-mm ports.
Area of Science:
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Surgical Technology
- Laparoscopic Procedures
Background:
- Standardized methods for preventing laparoscope smudge during trocar insertion are lacking.
- Various techniques exist, but their comparative performance is not well-established.
- Smudge on laparoscopes can impede visualization during minimally invasive surgery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of different laparoscopic port cleaning techniques.
- To evaluate the performance of dedicated cleaning devices versus traditional methods.
- To assess the durability and features of specialized port cleaning devices.
Main Methods:
- Simulated smudge (pseudo-blood) was applied to 12-mm and 5-mm ports.
- Five cleaning methods were tested: gauze with forceps (surgical/laparoscopic) and two dedicated devices (cylinder-type and swab-type cleaners).
- Port cleaning rate was quantified using UV spectrophotometry to measure residual pseudo-blood; multiple cleaning cycles were also evaluated.
Main Results:
- Dedicated devices demonstrated significantly higher cleaning rates for 12-mm ports compared to gauze methods.
- For 5-mm ports, the swab-type cleaner yielded the highest single-use cleaning rate.
- The cylinder-type cleaner maintained its efficacy after multiple uses on 12-mm ports, unlike the swab-type cleaner.
Conclusions:
- Dedicated cleaning devices offer superior port cleaning rates in laparoscopic surgery.
- Swab-type cleaners are effective for single use, particularly on smaller ports.
- Cylinder-type cleaners exhibit greater durability for larger ports, suggesting method selection should align with surgical context.
