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Obesity Surgery, 2015

Every Bariatric Procedure is Reduced (Or Single) Port with the LiVac Retractor

Abstract

Background:

Current liver retraction methods in bariatric surgery typically require a separate incision or needle-puncture, and are either attached to a frame or hand-held. All push up from the undersurface of the liver. The LiVac Retractor is a new surgical device, which uses suction to adhere the upper surface of the liver to the diaphragm without requiring additional skin incisions.

Methods:

An open label, dual centre, non-randomised, study was approved by two Ethics Committees and conducted on ten patients requiring liver retraction for upper gastrointestinal surgery. Performance milestones and safety outcomes were independently recorded by Clinical Trials Coordinators and verified by Trials Monitors. The trial was supported by an Australian Federal Government grant. The LiVac Retractor was subsequently approved for use in Australia and gained CE Mark registration in 2014. Post market data has continued to verify the effectiveness and safety of the LiVac Retractor.

Results:

The LiVac Retractor attained all performance milestones in the Clinical Trial with no Device Related Adverse Events. Video demonstration from the trial and from post market use will be presented, along with a summary of the trial data.

Conclusions:

The LiVac Laparoscopic Liver Retraction System achieves safe and effective liver retraction without requiring additional skin incisions. The use of this retractor therefore achieves a reduced port outcome with minimal learning curve and without changing the surgeon’s bariatric procedure technique.