New ENDOFLATOR^® +: One Insufflation Device – Many Solutions

Patients and the medical profession benefit

For Professor Brucker, Medical Director for Women's Health at the University Hospital of Tübingen in Germany, collaboration with advanced medical technology companies such as KARL STORZ is of great importance. The aim is to develop innovations that improve both the healthcare of patients and the working conditions for physicians and the entire surgical team. "We perform many minimally invasive procedures in gynecology, and it is important that those involved do not inhale any harmful vapors," she said. It is well known that CO2 gas is used during operations to lift the abdominal wall and ensure good visibility without damaging organs. Professor Brucker explained: "However, if the gas is at a different temperature to the body, the camera will fog up during the procedure. The surgeons then have to clean the camera, which prolongs the procedure and makes it more stressful for the patient." With the new ENDOFLATOR^® +, there is a constant exchange of gas. New gas is introduced into the abdominal cavity and simultaneously filtered gas and smoke are evacuated through a second tube. “In the past, these gases entered the operating room and were inhaled,” said Professor Brucker. “Unhealthy fumes are produced, especially when tissue is cauterized during an hour-long laparoscopic procedure, this was roughly equivalent to passive smoking two to three cigarettes." The new ENDOFLATOR^® + has therefore proven itself across the board in Tübingen, according to the feedback. 

Moisturized gas does not dry out tissue 

Professor and surgeon Charles Miller from the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in Chicago, Illinois, emphasized the importance of humidifying CO2 gas during laparoscopic procedures. "We have learnt that the tissue does not dry out when humidified gas is used,” he said. “I think that's a major step forward.”. This is exactly what the new ENDOFLATOR^® + from KARL STORZ makes possible. The MedTech company offers five different tube sets for the insufflation and smoke evacuation device. Surgeons can choose the appropriate tubing set from a wide range of options based on their specific needs. The insufflation set is ideal for standard procedures where no smoke evacuation is needed, while the all-in-one tube set combines every function, making it particularly suitable for complex and lengthy surgeries. This variety ensures that there are optimal solutions for numerous indications, as well as for different target groups and countries with varying regulations. 

Low pressure makes procedures even gentler and safer

Professor Evangelos Liatsikos, Head of Urology at the Athens Clinic in Greece, has also had many positive experiences with the new device. "Everyone wants to have a surgical tool like this,” he said. “It is easy to use and extremely effective. You don't need any special trocars or instruments, and you can keep the pressure constant and low, which makes the procedures safer and gentler." According to the Greek physician, he has performed nine different procedures with the new ENDOFLATOR^® + and can only recommend the surgical device. 

State-of-the-art medical technology is suitable for different indications

The new ENDOFLATOR^® + is also ideal for pediatric procedures. The insufflation pressure can be kept low, which ensures a high level of safety. Special modes are also available for transanal operations and endoscopic vessel harvesting, which were developed specifically for those areas. These modes offer advanced functions and settings that allow operations to be performed precisely and safely. 

Reference: Barrett, William L., and Shawn M. Garber. 2003. "Surgical Smoke: A Review of the Literature." 
Surgical Endoscopy 17 (6): 979-987. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-002-8584-5.

Note: For more information on the availability of this product in your market, please contact your local KARL STORZ marketing and sales representative.

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