Simple and effective suspension technique for laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Many surgeons elect to dispense with the lateral retraction port during laparoscopic cholecystectomy using the American four-port technique; however, this may not be easy and safe. To retain the superior ergonomical and observation advantages, suspension techniques that leave virtually no scars have been developed to substitute for the lateral retraction port. All published techniques for suspending the gall bladder fundus were reviewed and an attempt was made to evolve a technique that is expedient, safe and cost-effective. In our setting, the optimal technique is to pass a folded thread down a 14-G intravenous cannula that has punctured the abdominal wall to form a snare loop to entrap and hold the gall bladder fundus. The anchorage is maintained by a two-haemostat technique heretofore undescribed. In some of the cases where better exposure of the undersurface of the liver is needed, the cannula can be directed to puncture the thoracic cage at or below the seventh intercostal space to provide cephalad retraction and to rotate the liver superiorly. Postoperative chest radiographs did not show any pneumothorax. The simple suspension technique emulates the four-port technique's advantages in terms of favourable ergonomics and exposure (and hence safety). It is suitable for selected patients and due caution should be exercised.