LaparoLith. A new instrument for stone fragmentation in laparoscopic cholecystectomy

• Published in: Surgical endoscopy Vol. 6; no. 6; pp. 309 - 312
• Main Authors: STÖBLEN, F, BUESS, G, MANNCKE, K, MENTGES, B, LIRICI, M. M, STARLINGER, M, BECKER, H. D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01-11-1992
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic - instrumentation; Cholelithiasis - surgery; Diseases of the digestive system; Equipment Design; Humans; Medical sciences; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Cholecystectomy; Performance evaluation; Medical equipment; Instrumentation therapy; Intraoperative; Laparoscopy; Biliary tract disease; Surgery; Lithotripsy; Mechanical system; Lithiasis; Digestive diseases; Gallbladder
• ISSN: 0930-2794; 1432-2218
• DOI: 10.1007/BF02498867

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy can be performed with incisions of a maximum diameter of 10 mm. The removal of a stone-filled gallbladder at the end of an operation via the 10-mm port needs often-extensive tissue-consuming manipulations for stone removal or minilaparotomy. Stone fragmentation can be achieved by mechanical crushing and by ultrasound-, electrohydraulic-, and tunable dye laser lithotripsy. The clinical employment of the LaparoLith (Baxter Healthcare Corporation), an instrument which allows mechanical fragmentation of stones inside the gallbladder, is presented here. We have used the LaparoLith in nine patients and have been successful in stone fragmentation in seven of these. The LaparoLith seems to be helpful in laparoscopic cholecystectomy, preventing extension of the subnavel incision.