Background: It is difficult for novice surgeons to manipulate the oblique laparoscope in single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (SILPEC) for inguinal hernia because of collisions between the instruments. To standardize manipulation of the laparoscope, we studied the viewing direction of the oblique laparoscope, and assessed the optimal manipulation of the laparoscope to avoid collisions. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed on patients who underwent SILPEC between April 2016 and April 2017. The viewing direction of the 30° oblique laparoscope was measured according to the location of the field stop pointer. Patients were divided into three groups according to the viewing direction at the beginning of the procedure: the inside viewing direction was from -90° to -11°, upward viewing direction was from -10° to 10°, and outside viewing direction was from 11° to 90°. The length of the procedure, viewing direction at the end, and the percentage of cases in which there was a change in viewing direction during the procedure were compared. Results: Ninety-eight cases of SILPEC were performed during the study period. The percentage of patients with a change in category of viewing direction in the inside, upward, and outside groups was 35%, 21%, and 11%, respectively, showing a significant difference among the three groups. Conclusions: Setting the initial viewing direction to the outside can reduce correction of the viewing direction during SILPEC. Because the intersection angle between the outside-viewing laparoscope and forceps is close to a right angle, this might reduce collisions.
Keywords: endoscopic viewing direction; field stop pointer; inguinal hernia; pediatric surgery; single-incision laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure.