Needlescopic cholecystectomy using 14-gauge assisting instruments: a technical modification for the pediatric age

• Published in: Journal of pediatric endoscopic surgery Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 75 - 81
• Main Authors: Shalaby, Rafik, Hamed, Ashraf, Shams, Abdelmoneim, Khairi, Ahmad, Elsaied, Adham, Abokifa, Amen, Elokby, Abdelwahab, Negm, Mohamed Ahmed
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Singapore Springer Nature Singapore 01.06.2022
• Subjects: Abdominal Surgery; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Minimally Invasive Surgery; Pediatric Surgery; Surgery; Technical Advances; Thoracic Surgery; Cholecystectomy; Needlescopic; Mediflex suture device; Children; Cholelithiasis; Adolescent
• ISSN: 2524-7875; 2524-7883
• DOI: 10.1007/s42804-021-00123-8

Objectives This study aims to present needlescopic cholecystectomy (NC) using the 14-G Mediflex suture device (MSD, Mediflex, Islandia, NY) as an assisting instrument in paediatrics. Patients and methods Needlescopic cholecystectomy procedures were carried out at 4 paediatric tertiary centres in Egypt. The operation was performed using two MSDs 14-G as assisting instruments in addition to 3-mm work epigastric instruments and umbilical 5-mm or 10-mm port for 30° telescope. Through one working 5-mm or 10-mm port, the gallbladder was retrieved. Results A total of 48 patients with chronic calcular cholecystitis underwent NC. There were 35 females and 13 males with a median age of 7.29 years (range 3–14 years). The mean operative time was 47.69 ± 7.2 SD minutes (range 35–75 min). There were no conversions. The follow-up period was 18 months. The degree of cosmetic satisfaction was excellent, as recorded by the parents’ satisfaction score. Conclusion Needlescopic cholecystectomy using MSDs and 3-mm instruments is a technical modification of minilaparoscopic cholecystectomy. It is feasible and reproducible and has a good cosmetic result.