PURPOSE: The dexterity(TM) pneumo sleeve is designed to provide abdomi
nal access for the surgeon's hand while preserving pneumoperitoneum du
ring laparoscopy. The first experience using the dexterity(TM) pneumo
sleeve in colorectal surgery is reported. METHODS: Four patients with
diverticulitis and one with a dolichocolon had manually assisted lapar
oscopic sigmoid colectomy with the dexterity(TM) pneumo sleeve. RESULT
S: Assistance of the left hand, introduced through the dexterity(TM) d
evice proved to be extremely helpful in identifying the plane of disse
ction in one patient with a large diverticular mass and in another wit
h a colovaginal fistula. Mean operative time was 109 minutes, blood lo
ss was 80 ml, and length of incision was 7.5 cm. Flatus reoccurred at
the second postoperative day, bowel movement occurred on the third day
after surgery, and patients were discharged after 4.8 days. CONCLUSIO
NS: With the dexterity(TM) pneumo sleeve, the tactile sensation is reg
ained, which makes laparoscopic-assisted colectomy safer and faster.