Use of gauze cylinders in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a technical alternative.

Difficulties involved in hemostasis, drying structures for better visualization, and performing blunt dissection during laparoscopic surgery for gallbladder removal motivated the development of a technique that would permit these activities to be carried out in a practical and safe manner. The method consists of placing a prepared gauze cylinder in the peritoneal cavity, where it can be useful in various situations, as is also the case for open surgeries. We report here the technique and advantages of using gauze in laparoscopic cholecystectomy.