The Differential Dissector’s inherent self-guidance makes it especially helpful when anatomy is uncertain, such as when there’s natural variance or when anatomy is deranged by trauma, scarring, or a tumor.

A classic example of derangement is an abdominal adhesion. Adhesions are scar tissues that can obscure critical anatomy, bind organs (e.g. to the abdominal wall and to each other), or pull organs out of normal position. For example, adhesions are frequently encountered holding the liver to the abdominal wall, and adhesions can pull bowel over and stick it to the gall bladder. Additionally, abdominal adhesions are the primary cause of small bowel obstruction – the adhesion wraps and strangles the bowel.

Surgeons usually have to divide adhesions to gain appropriate access for a procedure. Unfortunately, adhesions greatly increase the risk of inadvertent trauma during surgery – things like accidental burns of a nerve with an electroscalpel, accidentally slicing through a large vessel, or accidentally puncturing the bowel. And adhesions can actually have their own blood supply and nerves, adding new critical anatomy to an already difficult dissection.

The Differential Dissector quickly and safely “skeletonizes” adhesions, separating and exposing critical anatomy. Surgeons can see what’s there and decide how to proceed. Furthermore, if they need sharp or energy dissection to divide a tissue, Differential Dissection provides safe access, lowering the risk of cutting or burning adjacent tissues.