What is a medical trocar used for? Why is it indispensable for laparoscopic surgery?

When performing laparoscopic minimally invasive surgery, many people only pay attention to the "camera" and "surgical instruments," but rarely focus on a crucial component—the medical trocar. However, in actual surgery, without a trocar, laparoscopy is almost impossible to perform smoothly.

1. What exactly is a medical trocar?
Simply put: a trocar is a tool used to "open the entrance" for laparoscopic surgery.
Its main function is to pierce the abdominal wall, establishing a stable and safe channel for the endoscope and surgical instruments to smoothly enter and exit the abdominal cavity.

A common structure consists of two parts:
Puncture needle: responsible for penetrating the abdominal wall
Cannula: left inside the body as a long-term working channel
Once the channel is established, the surgeon can repeatedly insert and remove instruments without having to re-puncture each time, which is crucial for minimally invasive surgery.

2. Why is a trocar essential for laparoscopic surgery?
Laparoscopic surgery emphasizes "small incisions, large space." The trocar plays three key roles in this process.
It quickly establishes a pneumoperitoneum environment. Injecting carbon dioxide gas into the abdominal cavity through the trocar inflates the cavity, creating a stable operating space and allowing for greater distance between organs, enabling the surgeon to see clearly and operate steadily.
It maintains a sealed surgical passage. High-quality trocars have an internal sealing valve to prevent gas leakage. Poor sealing leads to decreased pneumoperitoneum pressure, poor visibility, and significantly increased surgical difficulty.
It makes instrument changes efficient and safe. Surgeons can repeatedly insert and remove scissors, forceps, sutures, etc., through the same passage without repeatedly cutting the skin, greatly reducing trauma.

3. What is the value of a trocar in minimally invasive surgery?
From a clinical perspective, the trocar directly impacts the surgical experience and recovery outcome.
It reduces the number and size of incisions, lowering the risk of infection.
It shortens surgical time, allowing for smoother procedures for doctors.
It also helps patients recover faster, experience less postoperative pain, and have shorter hospital stays.
This is why laparoscopic surgery is called "minimally invasive surgery," and the trocar is one of the core tools for achieving this.

4. What precautions should be taken when using medical trocars?
Several key points must be observed during clinical use.
Control the puncture angle and force to avoid accidental injury to internal organs.
Maintain the sealing valve to prevent air leakage due to aging.
Match specifications; the instrument size must match the inner diameter of the trocar, otherwise it will affect the stability of the operation.
For hospitals, choosing stable quality trocar products that have passed medical certification is crucial.