Multiple organ retraction during urological laparoscopic surgery.

PURPOSE: During laparoscopic surgery, as in open surgery, exposure is critical. We describe our surgical technique that provides intra-abdominal multiple organ retraction in order to obtain a stable surgical field and adequate exposure.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The Flex Arm™ surgical holder (Mediflex Surgical Products, Islandia, NY) is an adjustable, spring-loaded articulating instrument holder. The device offers the flexibility of the attachment of multiple arms (up to three) on the same rod, which can rotate 360° to aid in positioning. This device permits multiple laparoscopic instruments to be held simultaneously. We used this device for multiple organ retraction during urological laparoscopic surgery (retroperitoneoscopic radical prostatectomy, n=5; laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, n=3; laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, n=2; laparoscopic pyeloplasty, n=2).

RESULTS

We achieved significant improvements in the efficiency of retraction of the liver, kidney, colon, and prostate during urological laparoscopic surgery. Our method maintains a constant surgical field through the proper retractor position and the proper amount of isometric force for optimal exposure.

CONCLUSIONS

With this device, instrument migration due to muscle fatigue and organ injury as a result of excessive force are all substantially reduced. We believe that this technique may be helpful not only in urological laparoscopic surgery, but also in laparoscopic approaches in other departments.