What is the McCartney Tube?

“In the early 90’s, Dr. Anthony McCartney, a practicing Gynecologist, invented a tubular device that would revolutionise delicate surgery in his field. The main motivation being the simplification of laparoscopic techniques, and the enhancement of recovery from invasive surgery…”

McCartneyTube

McCartneyTube

What is the McCartney Tube?

The McCartney Tube is a single use plastic transvaginal tube that consists of:

  • an LSR (liquid silicone rubber) cap, through which instruments can be inserted while maintaining a gas seal
  • a polypropylene body
  • an LSR tube, of 35mm and 45mm sizes, with frosted tip for easier internal identification, and a small hole and slit at the tube tip for holding sutures.

Functions of the McCartney Tube:

The McCartney Tube enables hysterectomies and other gynaecological operations to be carried out completely laparoscopically. This is because the McCartney Tube:

  • Elevates and identifies the vaginal fornices and the uterus, presenting them to the laparoscopic surgeon.
  • Defines the vaginal fornices and cervico-vaginal junction allowing easier and safer dissection of the bladder and bladder pillars from this region.
  • Identifies and sites the uterine vessels for safe coagulation and division by diathermy or ultrasonics.
  • Defines and presents the vaginal fornices at the cervico-vaginal junction for an electrically inert template and guide for safe colpotomy.
  • Upward pressure by the tube margins provides tamponade, reducing blood loss at colpotomy.
  • The McCartney tube prevents loss of carbon dioxide peritoneum at colpotomy.
  • The Tube provides a conduit for the safe laparoscopic removal of surgical specimens (uterus, ovarian masses, lymph nodes etc.).
  • Provides a conduit for the introduction of a needle and suture for closure of the vaginal vault, aiding this process by presenting the vaginal edges, while maintaining the CO2 peritoneum.

The benefits of the McCartney Tube

For the patient there is less pain, less risk and a faster return to work.
For the surgeon there is the ability to provide a superior offering to their patients through:

  • Allows total or sub-total hysterectomy to be performed completely laparoscopically, without a vaginal surgical phase.
  • Provides a channel for the safe removal of large surgical  specimens with the aid of suction or surgical graspers via the Tube.
  • Makes suture closure of the vaginal vault easier.
  • Reduces morbidity, hospital stay and convalescence following hysterectomy.

For the hospital only one surgical setup is required (compared with laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomy-LAVH) and the patients leave hospital quicker which enables an improved utilisation of operating theatres.

Patent Status

McCartney Tube patents have been granted in:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Europe
  • Hungary
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • New Zealand
  • Singapore
  • Vietnam

Pending

  • USA (methods claim granted)

Manufacturing and Approvals

The McCartney Tube is manufactured under contract in Melbourne at Surgi Supplies International Pty Ltd for Tony McCartney’s company, Gynetech Pty Ltd. The McCartney Tube has FDA 510(k) clearance. The McCartney Tube also has TGA (Australia) and CE Mark (Europe) approvals.

Publications and Clinical Trials

Attached to this document is a Publications Summary of McCartney Tube related scientific papers. In addition hard copies of all the individual publications are available.

A prospective randomised clinical trial comparing Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy vs Open or Traditional Laparotomy Hysterectomy for the treatment of endometrial cancer in a 2:1 ration commenced throughout Australia in January 2006. the aim of this study, the LACE (Laparoscopic Approach to Carcinoma of the Endometrium) Trial, is to investigate the quality of life and morbidity issues associated with Total Laparoscopic Hysterectomy (using the McCartney Tube) versus total abdominal hysterectomies. This trial is being organised by Dr Andreas Obermair, the Director of Gynaecological Oncology at the Queensland Centre for Gynaecological Cancer. Financial support is being provided by the NH&MRC, Gynetech, the State Cancer Councils of Western Australia and Queensland, and the Queensland Government. Accrual rate is currently ahead of prediction.