Prospective comparison between the AirSeal® System valve-less Trocar and a standard Versaport™ Plus V2 Trocar in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy

J Endourol. 2013 May;27(5):579-82. doi: 10.1089/end.2012.0632. Epub 2013 Feb 5.

Abstract

Background and purpose: To prospectively compare the AirSeal® System valve-less Trocar with a standard Versaport™ Plus V2 Trocar as assistant insufflating port in transperitoneal and extraperitoneal robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (t-RARP/e-RARP).

Patients and methods: Two consecutive cohorts of patients undergoing RARP using either a 12 mm AirSeal valve-less Trocar (n=19 [14 t-RARP/5 e-RARP]) or a 12 mm Versaport Plus V2 Trocar (n=17 [11 t-RARP/6 e-RARP]) were prospectively evaluated. Age, body mass index, tumor characteristics, and surgical approach were similar in both cohorts. Besides relevant clinical data, episodes of pressure loss (<8 mm Hg), the number of necessary trocar manipulations, the frequency of camera cleaning, and overall carbon dioxide (CO2) consumption were recorded and compared.

Results: Mean surgical time was 175 minutes in the AirSeal and 166 minutes in the Versaport group (p=0.55). Whereas in the AirSeal group, only one episode of pressure loss <8 mm Hg was observed; this occurred in mean 38 times in the Versaport group (p<0.0001). No trocar manipulations for specimen or needle retrieval were necessary in the AirSeal group in contrast to in mean 15 in the Versaport group (p<0.0001). Otherwise, no appreciable differences regarding overall operating time, blood loss, camera cleaning, or overall CO2 consumption were observed for the present study. Patient CO2 absorption was not evaluated.

Conclusions: In the present study, the AirSeal Trocar offered a more stable pneumocavity and facilitated specimen retrieval and needle extraction.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Humans
  • Insufflation
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prostatectomy / instrumentation*
  • Robotics / instrumentation*
  • Surgical Instruments