A CONSUMERS GUIDE TO LAPAROSCOPIC EQUIPMENT FOR UROLOGY

The ever increasing amount of laparoscopic instrumentation and the lack of any objective comparison make choosing the most appropriate equipment a difficult task for the urological neo-laparoscopist. All major manufacturers of laparoscopic equipment were invited to submit as much of their equipment as possible for inspection. A selection of ports, hand instruments, haemostatic devices and imaging systems was then tested in a laboratory and clinical setting. Costings are provided for evaluated ports, hand instruments and imaging systems. Vessels with a diameter greater than 7 mm, such as renal artery and vein, should be secured with a linear stapler-cutter. The optics of the Olympus OTV-S4, CLV-10 light source, Olympus light cable and A5254A telescope are superior to the other imaging systems tested. Laparoscopic equipment is diverse in specification, performance and cost. Due consideration must be given to these factors when purchasing equipment to avoid disappointment and wastage of resources, particularly with regard to disposable instruments and imaging systems.