A protocol to recover needles lost during minimally invasive surgery

Minimizing and managing needle and instrument loss during pediatric robotic surgery

INTRODUCTION

Lost objects and equipment malfunctions during robotic and laparoscopic cases can lead to an increase in operating time and potential risk to the patient. The literature on the management of foreign bodies during pediatric robotic-assisted surgery is limited. The purpose of the video is to review proper instrument handling to prevent loss of an object and to propose our technique for retrieving lost objects through two pediatric case examples.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The first case is a robotic-assisted laparoscopic left pyeloplasty in a 6-week-old male with congenital uteropelvic junction obstruction during which a needle was lost. In the video, we describe our techniques for safe needle passage, proper suturing technique, and recovering a lost needle. The second case is a robotic-assisted right upper pole heminephrectomy in a 14-month-old female with a duplicated renal collecting system and hydroureteronephrosis. We present the management of a rare case during which a harmonic scalpel jaw malfunctioned leading to a lost foreign body. We describe our technique for retrieving the lost fragment.

RESULTS

All objects were safely removed, and patients were discharged post-op day one without complication.

CONCLUSION

Our video presents two case examples of foreign bodies lost during pediatric robotic surgeries and approaches to manage each of these incidents.

Lost needle in the oral cavity: can the nightmare be just a bad dream?

OBJECTIVE

The loss of a scalpel or a needle during surgery can threaten the health of the patient and lead to additional costs, and radiographical assistance during surgery has been the only recovery method. This study evaluates the efficacy of a metal detector compared with conventional radiology for recovering a needle lost in the oropharynx during surgery.

METHOD

Different fragment sizes of needles normally used in pharyngoplasty were embedded at different locations and depths in a lamb's head. Three experienced and three junior otolaryngologists searched for the needle fragments using a metal detector and conventional radiology.

RESULTS

All fragments were found with each method, but the mean searching time was 90 per cent shorter with the metal detector.

CONCLUSION

A metal detector can be a useful tool for locating needles that break during ENT surgery, as it requires less time than conventional radiology and avoids exposing patients to radiation.

Fantastic Needles and Where to Find Them During a Laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication: Review of Safety Measures to Avoid Needle Loss During Minimally Invasive Surgery

BACKGROUND

Losing a needle during laparoscopic surgery may be a dramatic moment for the surgeon and potentially have clinical and medico-legal consequences. This case report aims to describe an unusual case of needle loss that occurred during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and how to prevent its further occurrence.

METHODS

The patient is an 11-year-old boy with a body mass index of 32.4 kg/m 2 . He suffered from severe gastroesophageal reflux disease not responding to medical therapy and hiatal hernia. A laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication was performed.

RESULTS

At the closure of the Nissen wrap, CO 2 leakage through the umbilical trocar caused the needle lost during the introduction of the thread. We attempted to find the needle by exploring the entire abdominal cavity without success. Therefore, we decided to complete the surgical procedure. Another 2/0 nonresorbable thread was inserted in the same way as before. But this suture also disappeared. Hence, we manually straightened the needle and introduced it under vision. The operation was accomplished successfully. An intraoperative x-ray was obtained, showing the 2 needles at the level of the 12th rib, near the working port used for the liver retractor. A peritoneal window was created using a monopolar hook, allowing to finally extract the 2 hidden needles.

CONCLUSION

The loss of needles, although a rare event, can occur during laparoscopic surgery. Based on our experience, we suggest that needle insertion during laparoscopic operations should be performed under direct vision, especially in obese patients, to reduce the likelihood of such complications.

Tips and Tricks—3 Use Cases of Interdisciplinary Knowledge Transfer in Minimally Invasive Pediatric Surgery

In the pediatric surgical environment, we can enrich our knowledge and improve our skills through interdisciplinary knowledge transfer in exchange with other surgical or even non-surgical disciplines. To demonstrate this, we present in this article three patient cases of method transfer enabling new techniques in minimally invasive pediatric surgery. 1. The somewhat modified application of the AeroStat rigid tip laparoscopic cholangiography catheter during the single-step laparoscopic cholecystectomy facilitates the safe intraoperative cholangiography with common bile duct flushing. 2. A magnetic rod is used during laparoscopic enterotomy to locate and retrieve ingested magnets. 3. Using a patient-specific MRI 3D model representing a syndromic high anorectal malformation improves surgical planning and parental education.

Addressing the important error of missing surgical items in an operated patient

Background

We aim to analyze the characteristics of incidences of missing surgical items (MSIs) and to examine the changes in MSI events following the implementation of an MSI prevention program.

Methods

All surgical cases registered in our medical center from January 2014 to December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

Among 559,910 operations, 154 MSI cases were reported. Mean patient age was 48.67 years (standard deviation, 20.88), and 56.6% were female. The rate of MSIs was 0.259/1000 cases. Seventy-seven MSI cases (53.10%) had no consequences, 47 (32.41%) had mild consequences, and 21 (14.48%) had severe consequences. These last 21 cases represented a rate of 0.037/1000 cases. MSI events were more frequent in cardiac surgery (1.82/1000 operations). Textile elements were the most commonly retained materials (28.97% of cases). In total, 15.86% of the cases were not properly reported. The risk factors associated with MSIs included body mass index (BMI) above 35 kg/m² and prolonged operative time. After the implementation of the institutional prevention system in January 2017, there was a gradual decrease in the occurrence of severe events despite an increase in the number of MSIs.

Conclusion

Despite the increase in the rate of MSIs, an implemented transparency and reporting system helped reduce the cases with serious consequences. To further prevent the occurrence of losing surgical elements in a surgery, we recommend educating OR staff members about responsibility and obligation to report all incidents that are caused during an operation, to develop an event reporting system as well as "rituals" within the OR setting to increase the team's awareness to MSIs.

Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04293536). Date of registration: 08.01.2021. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04293536.

Safety and Performance Evaluation of Su2ura Approximation, a New Suturing Device, in Pigs

One of the challenging aspects of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is intracorporal suturing, which can be significantly time-consuming. Therefore, there is a rising need for devices that can facilitate the suturing procedure in MIS. Su2ura Approximation Device (Su2ura Approximation) is a novel device developed to utilize the insertion of anchors threaded with stitches to allow a single action placement of a suture. The objective of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety and tissue approximation of Su2ura Approximation in comparison to Endo Stitch + Surgidac sutures in female domestic pigs. All incision sites were successfully closed by both methods. Firm consolidation within and around the incision site was noted in several animals in both treatment groups, which corresponded histopathologically to islands of ectopic cartilage or bone spicules within the fibrotic scar. These changes reflect heterotopic ossification that is commonly seen in the healing of abdominal operation sites in pigs. No other abnormal findings were observed throughout the study period. In conclusion, the use of Su2ura Approximation under the present experimental conditions revealed no safety concerns.

Complications in laparoscopic and robotic-assisted surgery: definitions, classifications, incidence and risk factors - an up-to-date review

Almost all gynecological and general-surgical operations are - or can be - performed laparoscopically. In comparison to an abdominal approach, the minimally invasive access offers several advantages; however, laparoscopy (both conventional and robotic-assisted) can be associated with a number of approach-specific complications. Although the majority of them are related to the laparoscopic entry, adverse events may also occur due to the presence of pneumoperitoneum or the use of laparoscopic instruments. Unfortunately, a high proportion of complications (especially affecting the bowel and ureter) remain unrecognized during surgery. This narrative review provides comprehensive up-to-date information about definitions, classifications, risk factors and incidence of surgical complications in conventional and robotic-assisted laparoscopy, with a special focus on gynecology. The topic is discussed from various perspectives, e.g. in the context of stage of surgery, injured organs, involved instruments, and in relation to malpractice claims.

Risk factors and preventive strategies for unintentionally retained surgical sharps: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

A retained surgical item (RSI) is defined as a never-event and can have drastic consequences on patient, provider, and hospital. However, despite increased efforts, RSI events remain the number one sentinel event each year. Hard foreign bodies (e.g. surgical sharps) have experienced a relative increase in total RSI events over the past decade. Despite this, there is a lack of literature directed towards this category of RSI event. Here we provide a systematic review that focuses on hard RSIs and their unique challenges, impact, and strategies for prevention and management.

METHODS

Multiple systematic reviews on hard RSI events were performed and reported using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and AMSTAR (Assessing the methodological quality of systematic reviews) guidelines. Database searches were limited to the last 10 years and included surgical "sharps," a term encompassing needles, blades, instruments, wires, and fragments. Separate systematic review was performed for each subset of "sharps". Reviewers applied reciprocal synthesis and refutational synthesis to summarize the evidence and create a qualitative overview.

RESULTS

Increased vigilance and improved counting are not enough to eliminate hard RSI events. The accurate reporting of all RSI events and near miss events is a critical step in determining ways to prevent RSI events. The implementation of new technologies, such as barcode or RFID labelling, has been shown to improve patient safety, patient outcomes, and to reduce costs associated with retained soft items, while magnetic retrieval devices, sharp detectors and computer-assisted detection systems appear to be promising tools for increasing the success of metallic RSI recovery.

CONCLUSION

The entire healthcare system is negatively impacted by a RSI event. A proactive multimodal approach that focuses on improving team communication and institutional support system, standardizing reports and implementing new technologies is the most effective way to improve the management and prevention of RSI events.

Removal of a suture needle: a case report

Background

Foreign bodies may be embedded or left behind in the oral cavity during oral surgical procedure. The loss of instruments such as impression material, surgical gauze, and broken injection needles are commonly reported in the dental field. These complications are generally symptomatic and show signs of inflammation, pain, and purulent discharge. Accidental breakage of suture needles is a rare but potentially dangerous event.

Case presentation

In this report, we present one case of lost suture needle during the procedure of flap operation at local dental clinic and its successful removal under local/general anesthesia administration via CBCT with a help of two reference needles to localize the 6-0 nylon needle and consulting with the clinician.

Conclusion

CT scanning taken while mouth-closing may not be accurate with regard to real location measurement performed while mouth-opening. If so, other up-to-date radiographic devices and methods to retrieve a needle are recommended.

Application of multidirectional stitching technology in a laparoscopic suturing instructional program: a randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Surgeon suturing technology plays a pivotal role in patient recovery after laparoscopic surgery. Intracorporal suturing and knot tying in minimally invasive surgery are particularly challenging and represent a key skill for advanced procedures. In this study, we compared the application of multidirectional stitching technology with application of the traditional method in a laparoscopic suturing instructional program.

METHODS

We selected forty residents within two years of graduation to assess the specialized teaching of laparoscopic suturing with laparoscopic simulators. The forty students were randomly divided into two groups, a control group and an experimental group, with twenty students in each group. The control group was scheduled to learn the traditional suture method, and the experimental group applied multidirectional stitching technology. The grades for suturing time, thread length, accuracy of needle entry, stability of the knot, tissue integrity, and tightness of the tissue before and after the training program were calculated.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the two groups before the learning intervention. After the program, both groups significantly improved in each subject. There were significant differences between the control group and the experimental group in suture time (P = 0.001), accuracy of needle entry and exit (P = 0.035), and whether the suture tissue had cracks (P = 0.030). However, the two groups showed non-significant differences in thread length (P = 0.093), stablity of the knot (P = 0.241), or tightness of the tissue (P = 0.367).

CONCLUSIONS

Multidirectional stitching technology improves the efficiency and effectiveness of traditional laparoscopic suture instructional programs. It might be a practicable, novel training method for acquiring proficiency in manual laparoscopic skills in a training setting.

Radiological features and management of retained needles

The identification of retained needles is essential because of their sharp structure with possible life-threatening complications. However, radiological evaluation could be challenging, especially in case of needles' relatively poor conspicuity and small dimension. This pictorial essay focuses on clinical issues (needle features, retention mechanisms and associated complications) and technical aspects (choice of the best diagnostic modality and technique) that can lead the radiologist to an earlier and proper diagnosis of needle retention in order to provide the best treatment for the patient.

MagnetoSuture: Tetherless Manipulation of Suture Needles

This paper demonstrates the feasibility of ligation and tissue penetration for surgical suturing tasks using magnetically actuated suture needles. Manipulation of suture needles in minimally invasive surgery involves using articulated manual/robotic tools for needle steering and controlling needle-tissue or thread-tissue interactions. The large footprints of conventional articulated surgical tools significantly increase surgical invasiveness, potentially leading to longer recovery times, tissue damage, scarring, or associated infections. Aiming to address these issues, we investigate the feasibility of using magnetic fields to tetherlessly steer suture needles. The primary challenge of such a concept is to provide sufficient force for tissue penetration and ligation. In this work, we demonstrate proof-of-concept capabilities using the MagnetoSuture™ system, performing tissue penetration and ligation tasks using ex vivo tissues, customized NdFeB suture needles with attached threads, and remote-controlled magnetic fields. To evaluate the system performance, we conducted experiments demonstrating tetherless recreation of a purse string suture pattern, ligation of an excised segment of a rat intestine, and penetration of rat intestines.

Retained Needle in the AirSeal Trocar During Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy: Lessons Learned

Background: Unique case of retained needle in the AirSeal trocar during robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Case Presentation: A 68-year-old male with prostate cancer underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. Upon laparoscopic removal of final intra-abdominal suture by bedside assistant, needle became dislodged from suture and was unable to be located after a standard systematic search. Ultimately, needle was found caught in the assistant's AirSeal trocar device. Conclusion: Intraoperative loss of a foreign body should include inspection, and possible radiographic evaluation, of the trocar mechanism as part of a complete systematic approach.

Identifying lost surgical needles with visible and near infrared fluorescent light emitting microscale coating

BACKGROUND

Retained foreign bodies (RFOs) have substantial clinical and financial consequences. In laparoscopic surgery, RFOs can be a cause of needing to convert a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) procedure to an open operation. A coating for surgical models was developed to augment localization of needles using fluorescence appropriate for open and minimally invasive surgeries procedures.

METHODS

An epoxy matrix containing both dansyl chloride and indocyanine green was coated as visible and near infrared labels, respectively. With ultraviolet excitation, dansyl chloride emits green fluorescence and with NIR excitation, the ICG dye emits radiation observable with specialized near infrared capable laparoscopes. To evaluate the coatings, open and laproscopic surgeries were simulated in rabbits. Surgeons blinded to the type of needles (coated or non-coated) were timed while finding needles in standard conditions and with the use of the adjunct coatings. Control needles not located within 300 seconds were researched with the corresponding near infrared or ultraviolet light. Localization time was evaluated for statistical significance, P < .05.

RESULTS

All dual dye coated needles searched utilizing the near infrared camera (n = 26) or ultraviolet light (n= 26) were located within 300 seconds. Conversely, 9 needles in both control settings (no dye usage) were not located within 300 seconds. Mean time to locate control needles in open surgery and laparoscopic surgery was statistically 2-3× greater than time to localization with the use of dye as an adjunct (P = .0027 open, P < .001 laparoscopic).

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of a dual-dye fluorescent coating on surgical needles improved the efficiency of locating needles, may minimize the need to convert minimally invasive surgeries procedures to open, and may decrease the consequences of a missed RFO.

Needle lost in minimally invasive surgery: management proposal and literature review

The reported incidence of intraoperative retained instruments, such as needles, hangs around 0.06-0.11%. Leaving a needle inside the abdominal cavity can have significant medical and legal consequences. In addition, the retrieval can be hampered due to the limited visualization of the scope during minimally invasive surgery. Factors associated with an increased probability for NL have been described. Prevention for this situation includes: having one needle at a time inside the cavity, effective communication between all personnel in the operating room, evaluation of the strength of the suture-needle connection, avoid parking of needles intraoperatively, and a proper needle withdrawal. Notwithstanding, no agreement has been made regarding NL management. Herein, we present a literature review, and a management proposal in which through a series of systematic steps, the surgical team can efficiently locate and retrieve a lost needle such as: examination of the surgical field, trocar visualization, trocar disassembly, and revision of the suction device. Finally, intraoperative or postoperative imaging can be utilized.

Surgical Retrieval of an Impaled Tapestry Needle from the True Pelvic Cavity of a Child-An Unusual Case Report

Introduction:

Impalement injuries of pelvis have been reported in children but are uncommon. Impalement could be associated with injuries to deep organs, wound contamination, crush injuries, and in certain instances, can even be fatal.

Case Report:

We present a bizarre case of a 2-year-old female child who presented to us with a tapestry needle embedded in the true pelvic cavity after a history of fall on the buttock while playing at home. The impaled needle was eventually successfully extracted surgically using the modified Stoppa’s approach and the post-operative period was uneventful. We also briefly review the literature surrounding such unusual injuries and discuss tips and tricks regarding the surgical technique in such cases.

Conclusions:

In impalement injuries, adequate analgesia, tetanus prophylaxis, antibiotics, and immobilization must be given initially followed by meticulous pre-operative planning in the form of radiographs and computed tomography(CT) scans. Minimally invasive CT-guided extraction of needle can be attempted by an experienced interventional radiologist when there is no significant risk of damaging neighboring vital organs or neurovascular structures. The surgical approach if an open approachis decided must be chosen wisely; backup may be needed from an abdominal surgeon, urologist, or gynecologist in certain cases.

Two case reports of retained steel insulin pump infusion set needles

Insulin pumps are common in the management of type 1 diabetes (T1D). We report two cases of metal insulin infusion set needles which broke off the tubing and remained embedded in the soft tissue of two boys with T1D (five needles in one case, and one needle in the other). The patient with five retained needles was asymptomatic and had a normal physical examination, and the missing needles were only detected using pelvic X-ray; the second patient had only mild discomfort. While these are the first such cases reported in the medical literature, there may be other cases which have gone unnoticed, suggesting the potential need to explore the safety of this product further.