By Kirby Tran, MD, MMM
Even widely used methods for laparoscopic port site closure can be frustrating and time-consuming.
Many surgical specialties rely on abdominal laparoscopic procedures to speed healing while reducing downtime and pain compared to open surgery. For example, as an OB-GYN, I remove the uterus, ovaries, ovarian cysts and fallopian tubes and treat endometriosis and vaginal prolapse laparoscopically. At the end of any laparoscopic procedure, closure of the abdominal port site must be done successfully in order to prevent port site hernia, wound hematoma or infection. Optimally, we should be able to close the port site smoothly and efficiently, but even experienced surgeons can find the widely used suture passer frustrating and time-consuming for patients who are obese or offer other challenges. At the end of sometimes long and difficult surgeries, we struggle to see the right suture angle and fish around for sutures in order to properly close the fascia.
AbClose is an elegantly simple device that allows fast, simple, and consistent single-operator suturing.
I have been using a new closure device called AbClose that enables me to close wounds very effectively and consistently without any assistance, regardless of the location or the abdominal wall thickness. Sutures are placed very precisely without any need to align the needle or fish for sutures. For all of my 10 mm to 12 mm incisions, suturing goes very smoothly every time, without the frustration sometimes experienced with other devices.
Because AbClose is simple and semi-automated, the device minimizes variability between surgeons, skill levels and individual cases. Wound closure is easier in all cases, including those where the risk of hernia has traditionally been highest. That is an enormous advantage. When we can predictably and consistently close the fascia, we can prevent hernia and other potential complications.
Safe, predictable wound closure takes significantly less time, with higher surgeon satisfaction.
Because AbClose is so precise and preloaded, with no guesswork, I spend much less time on fascia closures. With my previous, commonly used suture passer, port site closure took about 2-10 minutes, compared to just 1-2 minutes with AbClose. Shorter surgery time translates to benefits for patients, including decreased anesthesia time and risk of infection, both of which are especially desirable in morbidly obese patients or those with heart or pulmonary problems.
In the hospital, where we continually refine our workflows in the OR, AbClose offers one more way to lend greater predictability to both procedures and OR scheduling.
As a surgeon, efficiency means higher satisfaction. When I am fatigued, running late to clinic, or concerned about a patient’s complex medical needs, it’s discouraging to end surgery with a difficult closure. With AbClose, I know that I can always end on a safe, dependable and very efficient closure that prevents postoperative hernia.
Learn more at www.abclose.com.
