title: Improving the ease and safety of laparoscopy: a technique for open insertion of the umbilical trocar.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Sharp cannulation of the abdominal cavity for laparoscopy occasionally causes life-threatening injury to major vessels.
  
  
  METHODS
  A technique of open cannulation is described to minimize this risk.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In over 2000 general surgical laparoscopies performed the Flinders Medical Centre, there were no major vessel injuries and only one bowel injury (prior to laparotomy).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We advocate the use of open technique to minimize injuries caused by abdominal cannulation for laparoscopy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Rice
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: McCall
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Wattchow
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D012449:Safety; D014472:Umbilicus