Laparoscopic instrument for female surgeons: an innovative model for endoscopic purse-string suture.

Commercially available laparoscopic instruments are not designed for female surgeons. We redesigned the endoscopic flexible head purse-string suture instrument for improved use by female surgeons. The weight, total length, and diameter of the swing head handle and clump handle were reduced (786 to 565 g, 715 to 700 mm, 70 to 50 mm, and 30 to 25 mm, respectively). Stroke of the slide for firing and release of the lever was reduced from 92 to 83 mm. This is the first step toward an ergonomic surgical device that considers physical differences related to sex.