title: Mini-laparoscopy and fiber-optic lasers.
abstract: The use of the Adair Verres needle and an optical catheter system has enabled us to perform both diagnostic and laser mini-laparoscopy. The prefix mini refers to the fact that the three incisions placed in the abdomen were 3 mm in diameter. There were no complications in our pilot series. Because initial inspections of the abdomen may localize abnormalities such as intestinal adhesions and may show the surgeon a safer approach to subsequent trocar placement, nothing is lost and much may be gained by routinely performing mini-laparoscopy. The picture produced on the video monitor is now of excellent quality and seems likely to improve. In the near future, a three-chip camera, which is able to produce even better resolution, will become available. The further development of 3-mm instrumentation promises additional expansion in operative capability. Although mini-laparoscopy will not replace conventional operative laparoscopy with the 10-mm telescope in the near future, a significant proportion of diagnostic and minimally to moderately involved operative procedures may be safely carried out by this method.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Maryland.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Dorsey
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Tabb
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005336:Fiber Optic Technology; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D007834:Lasers; D055100:Optical Fibers