Hey everyone, I’m Jake, and I’ve been working with Veress needles for over a decade now—first as a scrub tech in the OR, then as a customer account rep for a medical device company that supplies these tools. Let me tell you, when I started out, I saw so many small (and not-so-small) mistakes that could lead to complications, not just for patients, but for the whole surgical team. Now that I’m on the supply side, I get to talk to surgeons, OR managers, and circulating nurses every single day about how to use Veress needles right, because preventing those complications isn’t just about the device—it’s about the steps you take before, during, and after you use it. Let’s break this down like we’re chatting in a staff lounge, no stuffy medical jargon overload, and no boring lectures. Veress Needles
First off, let’s get real: Veress needles are super common for laparoscopic procedures, right? They’re that thin, spring-loaded needle you use to puncture the abdominal wall to insufflate carbon dioxide and create that working space. But if you rush through the setup or skip a key check, things can go sideways fast. I once watched a surgeon I worked with early in my career rush through prepping a patient’s abdomen, and when they inserted the needle, they nicked the colon. It was a mess—extra time in the OR, more tests, stress for everyone. That’s the kind of thing we’re here to avoid, so let’s start with the pre-use checks, because that’s where 80% of prevention starts.
Wait, I know what some of you are thinking—“I already know how to prep a Veress needle, Jake, don’t waste my time.” But hear me out: not all Veress needles are the same, even if they look identical. A lot of people skip the spring test, and that’s a big no-no. When you get a new box of our needles (or any brand, honestly), don’t just take one out and assume it works. Pop the cap, hold the needle at a 45-degree angle like you’re about to insert it, and gently push the tip against a sterile gauze pad. The spring should click the blunt safety shield out, right? That’s how you know the inner needle isn’t stuck. If it doesn’t click, toss that needle—no questions asked. I can’t tell you how many times a customer has called me panicked because their new needles have a faulty spring, and we get them replaced same-day, but better to catch that before it’s in a patient. Also, check the packaging for tears or expiration dates. Expired needles? The spring tension can wear out, and a torn package means it’s been exposed to contaminants. Duh, but you’d be surprised how many ORs have a box tucked in a storage closet that’s 2 years past date, just because it’s “cheaper.” Spoiler: it’s not worth saving a few bucks.
Next up, patient positioning and site selection. This is another area where people cut corners. A lot of surgeries start with the patient lying supine, but if they’ve had multiple abdominal surgeries before, their organs are probably stuck to the abdominal wall (adhesions, anyone?). Inserting the Veress needle at the umbilicus here is a recipe for trouble. We always recommend choosing a site that’s away from scar tissue—like the left upper quadrant if the patient has a history of C-sections or appendectomies. And don’t go too deep! The abdominal wall thickness varies from patient to patient. For a thin woman, the wall might be 1-2 cm; for a larger patient, it could be 4-5 cm. If you push too hard too fast, you’ll puncture a viscus or a blood vessel. Pro tip: mark the site with a sterile pen before prepping, so you don’t second-guess yourself when the OR is rushed.
Now, the insertion part. This is where I see the most mistakes. You’ve prepped the site, you’ve checked the needle, you’re ready to go. First, make sure you’re holding the needle correctly—like a pencil, not a syringe, and at a 45-degree angle to the abdominal wall. Don’t stab it straight in, that’s how you go too deep or hit a vessel right away. And use gentle, controlled pressure, not brute force. A lot of residents (even some seasoned surgeons) get in a hurry and push the needle like they’re opening a stubborn jar. Bad move. When you feel that “pop” when the needle goes through the fascia, stop immediately—don’t keep pushing. Then, the aspiration test! This is non-negotiable. Pull back on the syringe attached to the Veress needle: if you get blood, bowel contents, or urine, that means you’re in the wrong place. Discard that needle, pull out, and choose a new site. I had a customer last month who told me they skipped the aspiration test because they “didn’t have time,” and they ended up with a patient who had a hemoperitoneum from a punctured iliac artery. That’s a 6-hour surgery to fix, and a patient who’s going to be in the hospital for way longer than necessary. The aspiration test takes 10 seconds, people. Don’t skip it.
Wait, there’s also the insufflation pressure test, right? After you aspirate correctly, you need to check that you’re in the peritoneal cavity. Attach the insufflator, set it to 15 mmHg, and watch the pressure reading. If the pressure spikes immediately to 15 or higher, you’re in the retroperitoneum or a blood vessel. If it stays low (like 5-10 mmHg) and gradually rises, that’s a good sign. A lot of newer surgeons don’t realize that this test is just as important as the aspiration test. I remember training as a scrub tech, and my preceptor made me do both tests every single time, even if I “knew” I was in the right spot. It saved so many headaches. Oh, and another thing: don’t use the Veress needle to move organs or adjust position once it’s in. That’s what graspers are for. Trying to reposition the needle inside the abdomen is a surefire way to cause a tear or a puncture.
Now, let’s talk about something that’s not talked about enough: provider training. I know, I know, training is boring, but when was the last time your whole surgical team did a refresher on Veress needle use? A few months ago, we hosted a free webinar for a group of small hospitals in Ohio, and the attending surgeon there said they hadn’t done a refresher in 7 years. They were making the same mistakes over and over: skipping the spring test, rushing the insertion, not doing the pressure test. After the webinar, their complication rate dropped by 40% in 3 months. That’s not a number I made up—they sent us the data. Training isn’t just for new hires; even seasoned teams need a reminder every so often. We actually offer free one-on-one training for all our customers, whether it’s a quick phone call walkthrough or a virtual demo. We’re not just here to sell you needles—we’re here to make sure you use them safely.
Wait, what about the equipment storage? You might have the best Veress needles in the world, but if you’re storing them next to a centrifuge or a harsh chemical cabinet, they’re going to get damaged. The spring tension can be affected by temperature and humidity, and the needle tip can get bent if it’s jostled around in a messy storage bin. We always recommend storing Veress needles in a cool, dry area, in their original packaging, until you’re ready to use them. Don’t take them out of the packaging until right before you do the pre-use checks—exposing them to OR lights or dust can also mess with the components. I’ve seen customers toss a whole box of needles because they left them out on the counter over a weekend, and half of them had faulty springs. That’s a waste of money and a risk for complications.
Another common mistake: using a Veress needle for procedures it’s not designed for. Wait, I know some surgeons use them for other stuff, like placing a drain or something, but no—Veress needles are only for creating pneumoperitoneum in laparoscopic surgeries. If you use them for anything else, you’re way more likely to have a needle tip break or the spring fail. Stick to their intended use, folks. We get calls all the time from people who used our needles for a different procedure and had a complication, and it’s always because they strayed from what the device is meant for.
Let’s also touch on patient-specific risk factors, because this isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Patients who are obese, have abdominal scarring, or have had multiple previous surgeries are at way higher risk for Veress needle complications. For these patients, we actually recommend using a different access method sometimes—like a Hassan technique with a blunt trocar—but if you do use a Veress needle, take extra time with the pre-use checks, the site selection, and the aspiration and pressure tests. Don’t cut corners because you’re in a rush to get the surgery started. Those extra 2 minutes of caution can save everyone hours of headache.
Wait, what about after insertion? No, I’m not just talking about pulling the needle out. When you remove the Veress needle, make sure you apply gentle pressure to the site to prevent bleeding. Also, dispose of the needle immediately in a sharps container—don’t leave it lying on the sterile field, because a nurse or tech could get stuck. That’s a needlestick injury waiting to happen, which is a whole other kind of complication. We package our needles in a way that makes it easy to cap them after use (another thing: always recap with the sterile cap, no hand-recapping), so take advantage of that.
Let me wrap this up with a quick story that drives this all home. Last year, we worked with a large academic medical center in Texas. Their OR team had a complication rate of 8% for Veress needle use, which is higher than the national average. They reached out to us, and we did a full audit of their process. We found that they were skipping the spring test for 30% of their needles, using expired needles from a back storage closet, and rushing through the aspiration and pressure tests. We worked with them to create a step-by-step checklist, did a refresher training for the whole team, and even adjusted their storage process. Six months later, their complication rate was down to 1.2%. That’s not luck—that’s following the basics, every single time.
Look, I get it. Surgery is chaotic. ORs are tight on time, budgets are stretched thin, and everyone’s just trying to get through the day and take care of patients. But when it comes to Veress needle use, cutting corners is never worth it. The small steps—checking the spring, picking the right insertion site, doing the two tests every time, keeping your equipment stored right, and getting regular training—they add up to way fewer complications, better patient outcomes, and less stress for your whole team.
If you’re looking for reliable Veress needles that are manufactured to strict safety standards (we test every single batch, just so you know), or if you need help with training or process checks, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you, not just supply tools. Let’s work together to make surgeries safer, one Veress needle at a time.
Laparoscopic Forceps References:
- American College of Surgeons. (2021). Guidelines for Laparoscopic Surgical Access and Safety. Surgical Technology International, 38, 112-120.
- Lee, S. W., et al. (2020). Complications Associated With Veress Needle Insertion: A 10-Year Retrospective Review. Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 27(5), 1045-1051.
- World Society of Laparoscopic Surgeons. (2019). Best Practices for Safe Abdominal Access in Laparoscopic Surgery. Surgical Endoscopy, 33(12), 3987-3995.
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2022). Healthcare-Associated Infections: Prevention Strategies for Surgical Tools. Medicare & Medicaid Research Review, 12(3), 1-12.
Hangzhou Benzgum Medical Technology Co., Ltd.
Hangzhou Benzgum Medical Technology Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional veress needles manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and good service. Please rest assured to wholesale custom made veress needles from our factory. Contact us for OEM&ODM service.
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