VARIOLIFT RETRACTION SYSTEM FOR LAPAROSCOPY WITHOUT PNEUMOPERITONEUM

There are adverse effects due to the pneumoperitoneum during laparosco pic surgery, therefore the question of alternative procedures for retr acting the abdominal wall has increasingly been discussed. So far, var ious systems which mechanically retract the abdominal wall have been i ntroduced. However, due to their complicated design or limited visibil ity, they have not become popular. The modular retraction system (Vari oLift, AESCULAP) consists of two components - a retractor for lifting the anterior abdominal wall and a hold-down device for compressing bul ging internal organs. Both parts of the abdominal wail retractor are i nserted in sequence through a 1.5 cm minilaparotomy and are, after bei ng connected to each other, fixed to a mechanical lifting arm. The par ts are available in various sizes and shapes, so that the retractor ca n be adapted to the respective abdominal quadrant and the anatomic sit uation of the patient. After lifting the anterior abdominal wall, the hold-down device is inserted, unfolded and positioned to hold down bul ging internal organs. In contrast to other retraction systems, the Var ioLift system allows the anterior abdominal wail to be raised in a dom e-shaped fashion, offering good lateral visibility. The construction o f the system, including the minilaparotomy, does not take any longer t han the installation of a pneumoperitoneum.