title: Use of optical dilating trocar for initial access during extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  For fully extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy, open port placement is standard. This takes quite some time, so with the availability of trocars that combine optical control and radial dilation, an easier and faster technique was tested.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 70 consecutive cases, preperitoneal space creation was attempted with only a 1-cm skin incision, developing further access using an optical dilating trocar with a laparoscope. Open preparation of the subcutaneous fat and incision of the anterior rectus fascia was not necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Access was successful on the first attempt in 67 cases. The time from the first skin incision to an established preperitoneal space was <10 minutes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We believe this technique offers an easier, faster, and safe way to introduce the first port for extraperitoneal laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Maribor Teaching Hospital, Maribor, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tine
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hajdinjak
authors.forename: Neil E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Oakley
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D020706:Laparoscopes; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009339:Needles; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D011677:Punctures; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome