Dissection techniques in laparoscopic surgery: a review

Efficient and safe dissection in laparoscopic surgery consists of the elements of exposure, tissue stabilization and tissue division. Exposure includes bulk exposure of organs and fine exposure of tissues during dissection. In endoscopic surgery this necessarily requires meticulous haemostasis. Tissue stabilization by atraumatic means displays the tissues with appropriate lines of tension to facilitate tissue division. This can be accomplished by a variety of energy types. Besides conventional dissection techniques, technologically advanced dissection systems employing different energy types have been incorporated in laparoscopic surgery. Mechanical energy sources such as ultrasound waves and the kinetic energy of a pressurized water-jet achieve precise dissection without haemostasis. However, thermal energy sources such as high-frequency electrosurgery and lasers achieve haemostatic dissection. Thermal methods generate destructive heat in the body which leads to coagulation or separation of tissues. Surgeons have to be aware of the principles of these dissection techniques, their tissue interactions, their advantages and limitations.