Evaluation of Safety and Efficacy of the EndoLift Liver Retractor

Since the introduction of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques in the 1980's laparoscopic surgery has become the preferred approach for a number of intra-abdominal procedures such as cholecystectomy, gastric bypass, etc.\[1\] One of the key components of laparoscopic surgery, of any surgery for that matter, is the ability to achieve and maintain adequate visualization of the surgical target throughout the procedure. During certain MIS procedures the patient's internal organs, such as the liver, can block or obscure the surgical view. A number of surgical instruments (retractors) have been developed to help retract abdominal organs "out of the way" during MIS procedures, but all of these devices require an additional abdominal wall puncture/incision to adequately position the device. Virtual Ports, Ltd. has developed a new laparoscopic liver retractor device, the EndoLift Liver Retractor. This new device does not require additional skin incisions and is placed internally (inside the abdomen) during laparoscopic surgery. The device has 2 ends that "grab" tissue. The body of the device is a smooth, cylindrical steel bar that has minimal risk of traumatizing tissues/organs. The ends of the device are positioned on to peritoneal surfaces (e.g., anterior abdominal wall and/or the right crus of the diaphragm) and the body of the device (smooth cylindrical bar) "pushes" the liver away from the surgical field.