When excising a visceral lesion that is small and superficial, what technique helps prevent leakage?

• A. External skin suture
• B. Hemostatic clip
• C. Serosal stitch
• D. Glue sealant

Answer: (C)

Focusing on closing and reinforcing the hollow organ wall from the outside surface helps prevent leakage when a small, superficial lesion is removed. Placing a serosal stitch brings the outer serosal layer into contact around the defect, effectively buttressing the wound, sealing the edges, and distributing tension away from the mucosa. This creates a durable, watertight repair in the moist, dynamic environment of a laparoscopic case, reducing the risk that luminal contents will leak through the site.

External skin sutures don’t affect the internal defect, clips address bleeding but not reliable lumen closure, and glue sealants can be inconsistent in a moving, moist field. The serosal stitch directly tackles the issue of internal leakage by reinforcing the visceral wall at the repair site.