Hand-assisted laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery is a newly developed technique. It involves the intra-abdominal placement of a hand or forearm through a mini laparotomy incision while pneumoperitoneum is maintained. This way, the hand can be used as in an open procedure to palpate organs or tumours, reflect organs atraumatically, retract structures, identify vessels, dissect bluntly along a tissue plain, and provide finger pressure to bleeding points while proximal control is achieved. Additionally this approach is more economical than a totally laparoscopic approach, reducing both the number of laparoscopic ports and number of instruments required. Some advocates of the technique claim that it is also easier to learn and perform than totally laparoscopic approaches, and that there may be increased patient safety. Copyright 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.