Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of suction‐tip forceps, a new tool for laparoscopic surgery, for gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION: Laparoscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgery; however, obstacles to its functional optimization remain. Surgical ports can accommodate only one instrument at a time so complex exchange manipulations are necessary during surgery which increases operation times and patient risk. We developed a new laparoscopic instrument that functions as both forceps and a suction tube, which renders intraoperative tool exchange unnecessary. This pilot study was undertaken to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this novel dual‐function device in laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer. METHODS: This single‐center pilot study assessed patient safety during and after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer with the suction‐forceps using intraoperative video and clinical follow‐up, respectively. To evaluate instrument efficacy, we measured the time interval between the start of any bleeding and the start of aspiration (“suction access time”) and compared this time with that of a conventional surgical setup. RESULTS: In total 15 patients participated, with all procedures being successful. No excess tissue damage occurred during surgery. Suction access time was significantly shorter in cases of bleeding when the suction‐tip forceps were used for aspiration (2.01 seconds) compared to an ordinary suction tube (12.5 seconds; P < .01). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that our new suction‐tip forceps are a useful, safe, and efficacious operative tool. This surgical innovation may considerably simplify gastric laparoscopic surgery. This pilot study was registered with Japan Clinical Trial Registration on 22 June 2017 (registration number: UMIN000027879).