Multifunctional devices for use in endoscopic surgical procedures and methods therefor

A method of packing an operative site in the body for an endoscopically performed procedure comprising the steps of

• establishing a narrow portal through the skin of the body to provide access to an operative site in the body;
• visualizing the operative site endoscopically;
• introducing a sponge in a dry state at the operative site through the portal, the sponge having a tubular spine therein;
• positioning the sponge at the operative site to expose anatomical tissue to be treated within the body and to isolate the tissue from surrounding anatomical tissue within the body;
• treating the thusly exposed tissue within the body;
• aspirating body fluids from the operative site via the tubular spine;
• and
• withdrawing the sponge through the portal.

A method of packing an operative site in the body for an endoscopically performed procedure comprising the steps of

• establishing a narrow portal through the skin of the body to provide access to an operative site in the body;
• visualizing the operative site endoscopically;
• introducing a sponge in a dry state at the operative site through the portal, the sponge having a recess therein;
• positioning the sponge at the operative site to expose anatomical tissue to be treated within the body and to isolate the tissue from surrounding anatomical tissue within the body, said positioning step including supporting the tissue in the sponge recess;
• treating the thusly isolated tissue within the body;
• and
• withdrawing the sponge through the portal.

A method of endoscopically performing an operative procedure at an operative site in the body comprising the steps of

• establishing a narrow portal through the skin of the body to provide access to an operative site in the body;
• visualizing the operative site endoscopically;
• introducing a sponge device in a dry state at the operative site through the portal;
• manipulating anatomical tissue at the operative site with the sponge device to place the tissue in a desired position;
• securing the sponge device externally of the body to hold the tissue in the desired position;
• treating the tissue at the operative site;
• releasing the tissue from being held in the desired position;
• and
• withdrawing the sponge device through the portal.

A method of endoscopically treating tissue at an internal operative site in the body comprising the steps of

• establishing a narrow portal through the skin of the body to provide access to an internal operative site in the body;
• introducing a sponge having a passage therein through the portal to the operative site;
• positioning a probe in the sponge passage;
• and
• treating tissue at the operative site in the body with the probe.