Background: To validate whether the SATA-LRS, a novel reusable articulating laparoscopic instrument, fits surgical practice, a pre-clinical study was performed. Methods: Thirteen medical doctors used the instrument in a laparoscopic endoscopic inguinal hernia repair (TEP)-like task inside a cadaver. A set of sensors on the instrument handle detected motion and articulation of the instrument tip. Data from the sensors and video recordings were used to assess the amount and type of movement of the instrument and the time spent on tasks. questionnaire was used to gain insight into the participants’ perception of the contextual factors. Results: There was no difference between task time and instrument tip velocities when using articulation (or not) and all participants used articulation at least half of the task time. Instrument-handle movement, indicating the user’s hand and arm movement, was significantly reduced when using articulation. The questionnaire indicated strong acceptance of the instrument and the experimental setup, and a desire to use the instrument in surgery by most participants. Conclusions: The added articulation feature of the SATA-LRS instrument was deemed beneficial by the participants, showed no increased handling complexity or time spent on the task and was used frequently when enabled, indicating intuitiveness.

Background: The Veress Needle (VN) is commonly used in establishing pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery. However, severe vascular and/or visceral complications can occur due to overshoot at the insertion of the VN in the abdominal cavity. In order to investigate whether the new VeressPLUS needle (VN+) could improve safety, the learning curve of this needle was compared to that of a conventional VN, under standardized conditions. Methods: In total, 26 residents and med students, without prior Veress needle experience, were recruited and randomly assigned to VN or the VN+ group. A learning curve plateau phase recognition model was developed and used to determine the learning curve of the participants who used either the VN or the VN+ needle on two Thiel-embalmed human cadavers. Insertion of the needles was done in a systematic way in the upper abdomen and insertion depth was measured under direct laparoscopic vision. At the end of the learning curve, the number of participants that reached a safe insertion depth between 5 and 15 mm was compared. Results: On average, it took the VN group 8 trials to reach and establish the plateau phase of the learning curve. The VN+ group showed no learning curve at all. At the 8th trial, a significant difference (p < 0.002) in average insertion depth was found in favor of the VN+ (mean: 5.4 mm SD 1.4) compared to the VN (mean: 12.7 mm SD 6). In the VN group and VN+ group, 46% versus 8% exceeded the safe insertion depth of 10 mm at the end of the learning curve. Conclusion: This study indicates that for novices, there is no learning curve for the VN+, when compared to VN. Moreover, in all cases, the insertion depths were significantly reduced (with more than 50%) while using the VN+ when compared to the VN.

Background:
Veress needles (VN) are commonly used in establishing pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgery. Previously, a VN with a new safety mechanism ‘VeressPLUS’ needle (VN+) was developed to reduce the amount of overshoot.

Methods:
Eighteen participants (novices, intermediates, and experts) performed in total of 248 insertions in a systematic way on Thiel-embalmed bodies with wide and small bore versions of the conventional VN (VNc) and the VN+. Insertion depth was measured by recording the graduations on the needle under direct laparoscopic vision.

Results:
Participants graded the bodies and the procedures as lifelike. Overall, a significant reduction (P<0.001) in average insertion depth was found for the VN+ compared to the VNc of 26.0 SD16 mm versus 46.2 SD15 mm. The insertion depth difference in the novice group was higher compared to the intermediates and experts (P<0.001). The average insertion depth for both needle types was less (P<0.001) for female participants compared to male.

Conclusion:
This study indicated that the VN+ significantly reduced the insertion depth in all tested conditions. Whether the difference between female and male performance can be linked to differences in muscle control or arm mass should be further investigated. Useful technical information was gathered from this study to further improve the VN+.

Safe insertion of the Veress needle during laparoscopy relies on the surgeons’ technical skills in order to stop needle insertion just in time to prevent overshooting in the underlying organs. To reduce this risk, a wide variety of Veress needle systems were developed with safety mechanisms that limit the insertion speed, insertion depth or decouple the driving force generated by the surgeon’s hand on the needle. The aim of this study is to evaluate current surgeons’ perceptions related to the use of Veress needles and to investigate the relevance of preventing overshooting of Veress needles among members of the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES). An online survey was distributed by the EAES Executive Office to all active members. The survey consisted of demographic data and 14 questions regarding the use of the Veress needle, the training conducted prior to usage, and the need for any improvement. A total of 365 members residing in 58 different countries responded the survey. Of the responding surgeons, 36% prefer the open method for patients with normal body mass index (BMI), and 22% for patients with high BMI. Of the surgeons using Veress needle, 68% indicated that the reduction of overshoot is beneficial in normal BMI patients, whereas 78% indicated that this is beneficial in high BMI patients. On average, the members using the Veress needle had used it for 1448 (SD 3031) times and felt comfortable on using it after 22,9 (SD 78,9) times. The average years of experience was 17,6 (SD 11,1) and the surgeons think that a maximum overshoot of 9.4 (SD 5.5) mm is acceptable before they can safely use the Veress needle. This survey indicates that despite the risks, Veress needles are still being used by the majority of the laparoscopic surgeons who responded. In addition, the surgeons responded that they were interested in using a Veress needle with an extra safety mechanism if it limits the risk of overshooting into the underlying structures.