Visually guided trocar entry: experience with the optical trocar.

Blind insertion of the Veressneedle and the conventional primary trocar have remained troublesome steps during laparoscopic surgical procedures. The standard primary trocar can be inserted directly without preexisting pneumoperitoneum, thus avoiding use of the Veressneedle. This approach still requires blind insertion, and inadvertent traumatic injuries have been reported.' Complications from such trocar insertions can be severe and at times lethal. Although the rate of such complications is acknowledged to be small, the ab- solute number becomes a relevant public health issue in light ofthe high frequency of both operative and di- agnostic laparoscopic procedures worldwide. Traumatic injuries to vessels, bowel, and other abdominal or- gans continue to occur despite proper surgical training, operator experience, and use of up-to-date equipment.