Purpose: Retraction of the liver is essential in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. Recently, a new internal liver retractor, the LiVac® device, has been introduced. The current video report (run-time 7:26 min) seeks to demonstrate the efficacy and safety of the LiVac® trocar-free liver retractor in laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.
Materials and methods: The LiVac® retractor is inserted besides an abdominal trocar and uses the vacuum system of the operating room without the need for specific devices. The liver is retracted without the need of an assistant or extra trocars.
Results: The present case is a laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in a 30-year-old woman with morbid obesity (BMI 45.3 kg/m(2)). The LiVac® retractor provided an excellent view of the operative field. No problems or device-related complications occured during the procedure.
Conclusions: The LiVac liver retractor was easy to applicate in the presented case and provided a good exposure of the operative field.
Keywords: LiVac; Liver retractor; Sleeve gastrecomy.