Most people understand that surgery requires specialized equipment, but if they had to name any of it, many would stop at “scalpel.” It takes a fascinating mix of simple tools and advanced equipment to keep patients safe, and most patients never get to see any of them. In our Tools of the Trade series, we’re exploring the essential instruments and technologies that make modern surgery so effective.
What Is a Trocar?
A trocar is a medical device surgeons use to create a small opening that allows surgical instruments and cameras to enter the body during minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic or robotic surgery.
Rather than making one large incision, surgeons can operate through several tiny openings using specialized tools. A trocar typically consists of three parts:
- A sharp or blunt tip used to enter the body
- A hollow tube called a cannula
- A seal that helps maintain pressure inside the surgical area
Once the trocar is placed, surgeons can pass instruments through it to perform the operation. In many procedures, one trocar is used for a tiny camera that provides the surgical team with a detailed view inside the body, while additional trocars provide access for surgical tools.
What Surgeries Use a Trocar?
Trocars are commonly used in surgeries involving the abdomen, chest, and pelvis, including procedures such as:
- Robotic heart surgery
- Gallbladder removal
- Hernia repair
- Appendectomy
- Gynecologic surgery
Because trocars support minimally invasive techniques, they can help reduce:
- Surgical scarring
- Pain after surgery
- Blood loss
- Recovery time