A NEW FLEXIBLE VIDEOENDOSCOPE FOR MINIMAL ACCESS SURGERY

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of a new flexible vid eolaparoscope. The Fujinon EVL-F has standard control knobs which defl ect a flexible tip at the end of a rigid section. In addition, there a re standard controls for irrigation and suction as well as an instrume nt channel. Twenty-eight procedures were performed on 22 patients. The advantages of this instrument include the ability to perform a more t horough exploration of the abdomen and improved image quality. In addi tion, the instrument channel provides the capability to irrigate, suct ion, perform cholangiograms, or pass dissecting instruments via the la paroscope, thus reducing the required number of trocar sites.