Laparoscopic entry port visited: a survey of practices of consultant gynaecologists in Scotland

Objective To assess how consultant gynaecologists working in Scotland achieve a pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic procedures. Design An anonymous postal questionnaire. Participants All consultants working in obstetrics and gynaecology in Scotland. Outcome measures Questionnaire analysis. Results There was a 92% response rate to the questionnaire. Of the respondents, 94.8% performed closed laparoscopy, one (0.8%) performed only open laparoscopy, and six (4.4%) employed both open and closed techniques. The majority worked with the patient in the lithotomy with Trendelenburg position. The commonest entry point, used by 88 respondents, was subumbilical. To create the pneumoperitoneum 94 respondents used 2-2.5 L of gas. Six used pressure measurement and eight used tension to gauge the pneumoperitoneum prior to trocar insertion. Conclusion The majority of consultants working in Scotland practise a closed laparoscopy entry technique.