Routine use of open laparoscopy: 1,006 consecutive cases

Blind insertion of the Veress needle and of the first trocar is a significa nt cause of laparoscopic surgery complications. Despite this risk, the clos ed technique is still more popular than the open one. The authors retrospec tively evaluated 1006 consecutive laparoscopic operations in which Hasson's technique was routinely performed. The overall complication rate was 2.2%, but the vast majority of complications occurred during the first 50 cases (6% vs. 1.9%). They conclude that after a learning phase of about 50 cases, Hasson's technique is a quick and safe procedure.