Diaphragmatic injury caused by an endo-retractor during laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Endo-retractors are convenient devices for exposure and traction during minimally invasive surgery and are widely used in laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Complications associated with the use of this device are rare. We present a patient with symptomatic gallstones who underwent LC and developed a diaphragmatic laceration as a result of the inappropriate use of an endo retractor. Although the incidence of complications with endo retractors is low, this report indicates the potential risk of diaphragmatic injury while using the retractors for exposure and traction during minimally invasive surgery.