title: Comparative clinical study of port-closure techniques following laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recently, a number of laparoscopic port-closure techniques have been reported to avoid the complications associated with the port closure after laparoscopic surgery. To evaluate these port-closure techniques, we compared seven new laparoscopic port-closure techniques with the standard technique of a hand-sutured closure.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective, randomized study, 95, 12-mm port sites in 32 patients undergoing transperitoneal laparoscopic procedures were randomized to one of eight different port-site closure techniques. The port-closure techniques included: the Carter-Thomason Needle-Point Suture Passer, Maciol suture needle set, eXit Disposable Puncture Closure device, Endoclose suture carrier, Tahoe Surgical Instruments Ligature device, a long 14-gauge angiocatheter with looped polypropylene suture, Lowsley retractor with hand-sutured closure, and the standard technique of hand-sutured closure. We evaluated the time, the security, and the auxiliary instrumentation required for each closure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the port-closure techniques, the Carter-Thomason device was faster overall, resulted in fewer port-closure-related complications and provided a leak proof closure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Carter-Thomason device is our preferred method for the closure of port sites after laparoscopic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology.
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Elashry
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nakada
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Figenshau
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: McDougall
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009339:Needles; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013997:Time Factors