A new technique for liver retraction during single-port laparoscopic surgery

Establishing a clear operative viewing field and adequate working space are essential steps for safe laparoscopic surgery. This aim of this article is to report a new technique of liver retraction during upper gastrointestinal laparoscopic surgery. This technique is fast and simple and precludes the use of special devices. It avoids the use of a subxiphoid trocar exclusive for liver retraction. This technique was designed to be used in single-port laparoscopic surgery but can be used in standard laparoscopic surgery to reduce the number of trocars. The first step is to perform division of the left triangular ligament. The fibrous appendix is identified. A window in the falciform ligament is created. The fibrous appendix is sutured to the peritoneum in the right subcostal area. The left lobe of the liver passes through the window in the falciform ligament, avoiding liver congestion. Optimum exposure of the upper gastrointestinal area is achieved. This new technique is easy and can be performed in various types of laparoscopic gastrointestinal surgeries without the need for specific skills or devices. We believe that our liver retraction technique is useful in single-port laparoscopic surgery and allows an excellent exposure of the upper gastrointestinal tract.