This video covers the optical trocar technique for accessing the abdominal cavity. This is the third main way to access the abdomen for laparoscopic/minimally invasive surgery. The first two, the Veress needle and the Hasson technique, were covered in our previous video • Basic Abdominal Wall E... . The optical trocar technique is a third option that can be used by itself, or in conjunction with the veress needle. In that case, one would insufflate the abdomen with the veress needle, but then still place their first port using an optical trocar.
In addition to the basics of how the optical trocar works, we explore the unique view it gives us of abdominal wall anatomy, and use that to reinforce our understanding of the layers of the abdominal wall. Finally, we contrast the "textbook abdominal wall" with the way we actually see the layers in real life when performing the optical trocar technique.
These videos are for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose or treat any disease. This is not clinical advice.