Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS): a useful technique for complex laparoscopic abdominal procedures.
Advanced laparoscopic abdominal surgery is now being performed routinely. However, it can be extremely challenging and time-consuming, and it may be associated with increased intraoperative and postoperative complications, mainly due to the loss of tactile sensation with totally laparoscopic techniques. This article describes a technique of hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery for complex abdominal procedures that allows the surgeon to insert a nondominant hand into the abdominal cavity while preserving the pneumoperitoneum. Use of the hand allows for rapid exploration, methodical dissection, identification of crucial structures, and expeditious performance of a procedure because of the maintenance of the tactile sensation. Our experience with this approach has been favorable.
Department of Surgery, Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60302, USA.
M A
MA
Memon
R J
RJ
Fitzgibbons
D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery*; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial