The Use of a Plastic Bag From a Drain Package Instead of an Endobag in Children: A Safe,Effective,and Economical Alternative

Purpose. The standard endobags require large trocars; because the authors routinely use 2- to 5-mm instruments, they were looking for complementary specimen retrieval device alternatives. For this purpose, they recently used a plastic bag from a drain package to exteriorize abdominal masses during laparoscopy in children. Method. A plastic bag from a drain package—the innermost cover—was placed into the abdominal cavity trough a 5-mm trocar. The plastic bag was intraabdominally uncoiled with 2-mm instruments. Bag plus specimen were exteriorized via the umbilicus. Results. During the last 4 years, the authors have removed various specimens in 135 cases. The specimens were successfully retrieved in all cases. No rupture of the bag or slippage was observed. One commercial endobag costs the same as 359 “plastic bags.” Conclusion. Based on the authors’ experience in pediatric laparoscopy, they feel that the use of plastic bags for retrieval of abdominal specimens is feasible, safe, and economical.