title: Hand-assist laparoscopic surgery for the gynecologic surgeon.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hand assist laparoscopy (HALS) is a minimally invasive technique which allows for the placement of the surgeon's non-dominant hand through a hand-port device while maintaining pneumoperitoneum. There is no standardization of this procedure and it is rarely used in gynecology.
  
  
  METHODS
  The multidisciplinary team of authors, with experience in minimally invasive pelvic surgery, has developed a practical approach performing HALS over several years. Here we present our technique.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There are several roles for HALS in the world of gynecology and pelvic surgery. Further experience will help improve upon a standard technique.
authors.affiliation: Celebration Women's Center for Pelvic Health, Celebration, Florida, USA. joy_brotherton@Hotmail.com
authors.forename: Joy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Brotherton
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McCarus
authors.forename: Jay
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Redan
authors.forename: Kathy Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial