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Mini-lap's changing role
While mini-laparoscopy was thought to be the next big thing in
laparoscopy, surgeons we talked to say its appeal has dimin-
ished somewhat.
"It's not the rage right now," says Daniel Jones, MD, FACS, chief of
minimally invasive surgical services at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical
Center in Boston, Mass. "There was a lot of interest before, but it's since
waned. Having 2-mm holes looks nicer, but most people think, 'Let's
save that healthcare dollar.'"
Though some say mini-lap has several potential advantages over
laparoscopy, including less post-op pain and fewer complications, Dr.
Jones notes that mini-lap's biggest draw may be cosmetic — a smaller
incision size that means minimal scarring. Because of this, he notes,
the technique is taking off in facilities located within highly competi-
tive markets "where they're not as sensitive to costs."
However, certain procedures done with mini-lap can actually end up
saving a facility money, says Aurora D. Pryor, MD, professor of sur-
gery and vice chair
for clinical affairs
at Stony Brook
(N.Y.) School of
Medicine. Some
mini-lap systems
require fewer dis-
posable devices for
each case, depend-
ing on the manufac-
turer. "Some of
these devices have
reusable ports or
1 2 2 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • S E P T E M B E R 2 0 1 6
• TINY CUTS Though mini-lap may not be as popular as it once was, some surgeons still feel that
its smaller incisions could help improve outcomes.
