Bowel Grasper

A bowel grasper is used during minimally invasive bowel surgery. The graspers are maneuvered through incisions that are usually no larger than 5 mm. The advantage with using laparoscopic graspers is that they enable the surgeon to grasp and manipulate abdomen tissue with precision without having to cut open the abdomen. The graspers facilitate observation, excision, and biopsy procedures.

The grasper is designed for use in a constrained space with delicate organs around and hence it has very few movable parts. Successful use of the graspers requires that the abdominal tissue be clamped properly in the first attempt; also it should not slip out and obstruct the operating field. Wielding bowel graspers requires practice and skill because the tips of the graspers are small and pressure at the tips is magnified; too much pressure can damage tissue and too little pressure can cause the tissue to slip out of grasp.

Bowel graspers should have a well-insulated shaft to prevent electrosurgical burns because of insulation failure and also a good force feedback mechanism to ensure that optimum force is applied to the tissue. This helps in reducing risks to patient safety.