We read this Technical Tip with interest and very much agree that utilising a swab can be invaluable in maintaining optimum views during a number of laparoscopic procedures. The authors report using a 3 × 4 inch swab to apply pressure to an area of oozing. This requires the removal of the laparoscopic port to extract the swab. We would suggest the use of a tonsil swab (6 × 1 inches) which has the advantage of easily being introduced and removed through a 10–mm port without the necessity of removing the port itself.
An intraperitoneal swab can also be used to great effect in conjunction with a suction irrigation system. Placing the tip of the irrigation catheter into the swab enables fluid to be instilled and extracted, avoiding the commonly encountered problem of soft tissues, particularly omentum, occluding the nozzle.