Exclusive use of Veress needle for pediatric laparoscopy: an 18 year experience

Abstract

Establishment of pneumoperitoneum is the key to perform laparoscopic surgery. The safety profile of the Veress needle has always been questioned over the years. We share our experience with the exclusive use of Veress needle in consecutive 2631 patients for pediatric laparoscopy over the past 18 years. Pneumoperitoneum was created in all the 2631 children undergoing laparoscopy for various etiologies. The age ranged from 1 day to 18 years. All the procedures were performed by either of the authors. Feasibility of the procedure and complications were recorded. Pneumoperitoneum was safely created by the use of Veress needle in all the patients. Of these, 18 children had omental insufflation and 10 children had pre-peritoneal insufflation. One child had bowel injury. There were no incidences of vascular injury or air embolism in this patient population. There was no mortality. The use of Veress needle for establishing pediatric pneumoperitoneum is safe in children of all ages if protocols are strictly followed.