The trocar needle is well known for its use in laparoscopic surgery. Trocar needles are versatile and specialized surgical devices. Surgeons use trocar needles to access the abdominal or peritoneal cavity to treat ascites and pleural fluid, as well as to implant slow-release hormone pellets under the skin.

What is a trocar needle?

Each trocar needle consists of three parts: a cannula, a seal at the top of the cannula, and an obturator at the other end.

Types of trocar needles

Trocar needles can be divided into two main categories.

Cutting trocar needles have sharp plastic or metal blades that cut through layers of tissue when pressure is applied. They are designed for easy access to subcutaneous (usually abdominal) cavities.

Dilating trocar needles have a blunt tip and are used to dilate and separate tissue when pressure is applied. These non-cutting cannulae are designed to minimize the risk of injury to internal organs during surgical procedures.

These two types of instruments are available in a wide range of sizes and offer the features required by specialists. There are trocar needles with camera ports, working ports, retraction ports, and static ports. For simple surgical procedures, such as diagnostic laparoscopy, an optical trocar with a 5 mm port is sufficient for illumination and control. When large masses need to be removed using a comminutor, a trocar needle with a 12 mm port may be sufficient.

Disposable cutting trocar needles are becoming increasingly popular. They offer a guaranteed sharp tip and are also guaranteed sterile, with no risk of cross-contamination.

Applications of trocar needles

Laparoscopic surgery has become the landmark application for trocar needles. Laparoscopy is considered to be a diagnostic tool. Surgeons can use trocar needles to perform laparoscopic examinations of the small and large intestines, gall bladder, liver, pancreas, pelvis, and female genital organs.

Surgeons can use laparoscopy to assess the progress of treatment and the staging of the disease. Laparoscopy also allows for minimal incisions in the removal of gallstones, fibroids, and most types of benign and cancerous tumors. The ability to perform surgery in the abdomen through small incisions minimizes anesthetic time, speeds recovery, and often eliminates scarring. Patients recover much faster from laparoscopic surgery than from traditional open-incision surgery.

Another popular application for trocar needles is the insertion of slow-release hormone pellets for the treatment of endocrine disorders in men and women. The use of trocar needles allows the insertion of hormones through the smallest possible incision. The small incision reduces trauma to the skin because the cannula cannot move around during the procedure.

When the pellet is inserted through an incision of no more than 5 mm, there is no need to suture the fascial binding tissue under the skin, further reducing the already small risk of herniation.

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