Laparoscopic Retrieval Bag: Correct Usage Posture

Due to its advantages of being minimally invasive and having a quick recovery time, laparoscopic surgery is increasingly favored by surgeons. However, many doctors often overlook the importance of thespecimen retrieval bag when removing specimens, thinking it is unnecessary to use. This article will discuss in detail why using a laparoscopicspecimen retrieval bag is critical for safe surgery and how to use it correctly.

Is it Okay Not to Use a Specimen Retrieval Bag?

Some doctors believe that directly removing the specimen without using aspecimen retrieval bag during laparoscopic surgery, especially in cholecystectomy (LC), is feasible. This viewpoint can lead to serious consequences. If a specimen retrieval bag is not used during surgeries for gallstones or gallbladder polyps, it may result in abdominal contamination or postoperative complications.

Risk of cholecystitis with gallstones

During the process of extracting gallstones, the gallbladder wall may be clamped and broken, causing bile to leak into the abdomen. This not only contaminates the puncture hole, increasing the risk of incision infection but can also lead to abdominal abscesses. If aspecimen retrieval bag is used, these issues can be effectively avoided as the bag isolates the gallbladder from the external environment, preventing contamination.

Challenges in gallbladder polyp surgery

When dealing with gallbladder polyps, the benign or malignant nature of the polyps is not yet determined. Direct contact between the gallbladder and the puncture hole may cause the implant spread of tumor cells. Using aspecimen retrieval bag can reduce this risk and avoid potential issues of implant spread post-surgery.

Compared with the prolonged hospital stay due to infection and complications, the cost of aspecimen retrieval bag is very low, and it can even be homemade (e.g., using gloves or thin film bags). Therefore, using aspecimen retrieval bag is not only a guarantee of patient safety but also an effective means of improving the success rate of surgery.

Correct Usage of the Laparoscopicspecimen Retrieval Bag

Using a laparoscopicspecimen retrieval bag is not merely a matter of placing the specimen in the bag and removing it. This process requires mastering the correct operational skills to avoid bag breakage or contamination due to improper handling.

Keeping the bag wall tension-free

During the operation, ensure that the bag wall is tension-free to prevent the bag from tearing. If excessive force is used when pulling the bag, it may break, leading to abdominal contamination. In actual operations, when using laparoscopic stone forceps to grasp the specimen inside the bag, the forceps should be guided by the laparoscope to avoid blind operations.

Using laparoscopic stone forceps

After closing, the laparoscopic stone forceps take on a rod shape and can enter thespecimen retrieval bag through the puncture hole. The forceps' head has sufficient space inside the bag to adjust its direction as needed for the operation. With the aid of the laparoscope, the forceps' head can accurately grasp the specimen or stones, avoiding damage to the bag wall.

Avoiding forceful movements and being patient when retrieving items

Specimen retrieval bags should be used to gently and patiently retrieve the specimen, avoiding forceful pulling which can easily tear the bag and contaminate the abdomen. Especially when handling the gallbladder or larger specimens, it is advisable to first remove the gallbladder wall, then aspirate any bile from the bag before gradually removing the stones. This not only reduces slipping but also improves the success rate of the surgery.

Wide Application of Specimen Retrieval Bags

Laparoscopicspecimen retrieval bags are not only suitable for cholecystectomy but also for other laparoscopic surgeries, such as appendectomy, splenectomy, and hepatic hemangioma surgeries. By using laparoscopic stone forceps and the tension-free method of specimen retrieval withspecimen retrieval bags, the retrieval efficiency is higher, the patient's postoperative recovery time is significantly shortened, and the surgical risk is reduced.

In summary, proper use of laparoscopicspecimen retrieval bags can significantly reduce surgical risks, improve postoperative comfort and recovery speed for patients. Although the operation may be somewhat cumbersome, the patience and precise operation of the doctor are critical factors in ensuring the success of the surgery.