Open Veress assisted technique for laparoscopic entry

BACKGROUND: The creation of the pneumoperitoneum is the first step for any minimally invasive surgical procedure. Although rare, iatrogenic vascular or visceral injuries are reported and they are mainly related to the insertion of the first trocar. The Open Veress Assisted (OVA) technique allows a safe maneuver of the first trocar in order to minimize the risk of intraoperative complications during positioning of the first trocar. The purpose of this study was to describe the OVA technique and discuss the use in our current surgical practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Each step of OVA technique is described in the text. A retrospective review of prospectively maintained institutional databases was performed to report clinical outcomes related to OVA technique use. RESULTS: Between December 2018 and July 2021 OVA technique was used in a total of 324 laparoscopic procedures categorized in 259 colorectal resection and 24 subtotal or total gastrectomies. No intraoperative and postoperative complications related to creation of the peritoneum occurred. CONCLUSION: OVA technique can be considered a safe alternative procedure for laparoscopic entry. By avoiding potentially dangerous insertion-related forces, this technique can be used even in previously operated patients, when the first trocar needs to be positioned away from the umbilicus or abdominal scar.