New Device Assists Laparoscopic Surgeons

A new pneumoperitoneum creation-assist device (PCAD), allows the surgeon alone to effortlessly and rapidly elevate the abdominal wall away from the underlying critical anatomic structures before or during Veress needle passage.

The Aragon Surgical (Palo Alto, CA, USA) LapCap laparoscopy assist device (LapCap) allows a surgeon to more easily, rapidly, and predictably pass a Veress needle during laparoscopy into the peritoneal cavity in order to create a pneumoperitoneum (the gas-filled space in which the surgeon operates). Utilizing vacuum, the LapCap safely elevates a portion of abdominal wall up and away from the underlying intestines and blood vessels in only 4-8 seconds, creating a pathway for blind Veress needle passage and reducing the surgeon's anxiety over this initial maneuver. The LapCap is a product of Aragon Surgical and has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

"We are extremely excited to be adding the breakthrough LapCap technology to the products already under development here at Aragon Surgical,” said Dr. Peter Edelstein, president and CEO of Aragon Surgical. "Having performed numerous laparoscopic operations myself, I have no doubt that the LapCap will be of great benefit to my colleagues at the start of their laparoscopic procedures.”

Laparoscopic gynecologists, general surgeons, bariatric surgeons, colon and rectal surgeons, and urologists create a pneumoperitoneum approximately 2.4 million times a year in the United States. Currently, the surgeon (often assisted by a nurse), must forcefully lift the abdominal wall using penetrating clamps while simultaneously attempting to safely pass the 12-cm Veress needle blindly into the abdomen.