Can general surgeons evaluate visceral slide with transabdominal ultrasound to predict safe sites for primary laparoscopic port placement? A prospective study of sonographically naïve operators at a tertiary center

BackgroundPort placement injuries are a potentially devastating complication of laparoscopic surgery. Ultrasound assessment for visceral slide has the ability to preoperatively determine adhesion-free areas. The utility of this technique has not been studied when performed by surgeons.MethodsSurgeons without expertise in ultrasound were taught the visceral slide technique. Patients with a history of abdominal surgery were then assessed for adhesion-free areas on the abdominal wall. Ultrasound assessments were validated against intraoperative visualization.ResultsNine surgeons using the visceral slide technique assessed 145 patients for the presence of adhesions immediately before surgery. Surgeon who performed ultrasound demonstrated a sensitivity of 69.6%, specificity of 98.7%, and positive predictive value of 99.5% for detection of areas free from critical adhesions. The median time to perform the examination was 2 minutes.ConclusionThe visceral slide technique was easily learned, was rapid to perform, and reliably identified adhesion-free areas of the abdominal wall.