Randomized double-masked comparison of radially expanding access device and conventional cutting tip trocar in laparoscopy.
OBJECTIVE
To compare postoperative wound pain associated with the radially expanding access device and the conventional disposable cutting-tip trocar.


METHODS
Our randomized, double-masked, self-controlled study involved 34 women scheduled for laparoscopic adnexal surgery. In each, a 10-mm radially expanding access device was inserted laterally on one side of the lower abdomen and a size-matched disposable cutting-tip trocar was placed on the other side, using random assignment. Postoperative pain for each studied wound and patient satisfaction toward the wounds were assessed using a visual analog scale. Any bleeding complication associated with insertion of the trocar was also recorded.


RESULTS
The radially expanding access device was associated with significant reduction in severity (median 1.4 versus 5.0, P <.001) and duration (median 11 versus 21 days, P <.001) of postoperative wound pain, shorter wound scars (14 versus 17 mm, P <.001), a lower incidence of wound induration (0 versus 9, P <.01), and a higher patient satisfaction (median 9.7 versus 6.2, P <.001). There were four inferior epigastric artery injuries, all at the conventional trocar wound.


CONCLUSIONS
The radially expanding access device was associated with less postoperative wound pain and more patient satisfaction than the conventional cutting-tip trocar.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, SAR, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. sfyim@cuhk.edu.hk
S F
SF
Yim
P M
PM
Yuen
D000291:Adnexal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D013525:Surgical Instruments