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All posts by LiVac Team

LiVac Study – Germany & Austria

Dr. Philip Gan attended EAES in Amsterdam this week and upon review of the program was pleasantly surprised to find another video session that focused on independent surgeon experience with the LiVac retractor in Germany and Austria.

The study describes the application of the LiVac retractor in over 20 cases, in which the LiVac was used as the sole device for liver retraction across a range of surgical procedures. In all cases the LiVac Retractor System was “easy to apply and provided good exposure of the operative field”.

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LiVac Retractor: Overview of an Invention

An observation in surgery of an unremarkable natural occurrence sparked an idea for a remarkable innovation in surgical technology.

Surgeon Dr Philip Gan was performing laparoscopic gastric banding surgery in 2009 when he noticed the liver adhered to the diaphragm due to the surface tension associated with the moist surface. It occurred to him that vacuum forces could mimic the surface tension effect.

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Sucking the liver out of the way with LiVac

Dr Phil Gan, a general surgeon, has invented a surgical device called the LiVac™ Retractor, that has significant advantages over traditional methods during laparoscopic surgery which require the liver to be retracted.

LiVac Retractor

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Any technological advances which reduce the amount of trauma caused by surgical procedures can enhance patient recovery and help to minimise complications. Laparoscopic, or ‘keyhole’ surgery, has allowed many procedures to be performed without the need for major incisions (laparotomy). Although this has proved a major advancement, surgeons are constantly trying to improve their techniques, such as by reducing the number and size of incisions required for a particular operation. Dr Philip Gan is a general surgeon based in Australia, who has made such an advancement through the invention of an innovative piece of technology called the LiVac™ Retractor.

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Novel LiVac Connector

A new surgical accessory — designed by Dr Philip Gan as part of the LiVac Retractor System—will be released in Australia on 26th April, 2016.

A non-compressible connector tool has been developed to reduce the risk of tubing compression when using the LiVac Retractor System.

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Surgical Endoscopy, February 2016

A Clinical Study of the LiVac Laparoscopic Liver Retractor System

Abstract

Background:

All retractors for laparoscopic operations on the gallbladder or stomach apply an upward force to the undersurface of the liver or gallbladder,most requiring an additional skin incision. The LiVac laparoscopic liver retractor system (LiVac retractor) comprises a soft silicone ring attached to suction tubing and connected to a regulated source of suction. The suction tubing extends alongside existing ports. When placed between the liver and diaphragm, and suction applied, a vacuum is created within the ring, keeping these in apposition. Following successful proof-of-concept animal testing, a clinical study was conducted to evaluate the performance and safety of the retractor in patients.

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