Efficacy of the modified anvil grasper for laparoscopic intra-corporeal circular stapled anastomosis

Abstract

The traditional anvil grasper may be difficult to use for connecting the stem of an anvil with the centre rod of a circular stapler because the grasper holds the anvil completely still. In addition, the head angle is fixed and cannot handle the anvil head delicately in a tight pelvic space. Many surgeons use a grasper designed for holding the bowel or a dissector for holding the anvil during intra-corporeal circular stapled anastomosis during low anterior resection, sigmoidectomy, left hemi colectomy and know that it is difficult to connect segments with these instruments due to slipping. A new modified anvil grasper was developed with curved blades that can easily grasp the stem of an anvil and smoothly connect it with the centre rod of the circular stapler. This grasper should be useful for surgeons performing laparoscopic intra-corporeal circular stapled anastomoses, which are the most challenging part of laparoscopic colorectal surgery.

Keywords

• Anvil grasper
• Intra-corporeal circular stapled anastomosis
• colorectal cancer