title: An improved needleholder for endoscopic knot tying.
abstract: A needle holder fitted with a distal and rotating hook is described. During endoscopic suturing, this hook grasps the thread and forms automatically a loop, through which the distal end of the thread is pulled to secure the knot. Endoscopic intracorporeal knot tying thus becomes easier and faster, especially in difficult situations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Koninckx
mesh_terms: D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*