The LiVac™ Retractor System includes a soft and flexible silicone ring that uses suction to create a vacuum for gentle solid organ retraction. The system is used in upper GI surgery including laparoscopic and robotic procedures for the retraction of left and right lobes of the liver, or the spleen.
Patients presenting with a thick abdominal wall may pose challenges when using LiVac but ultimately the use of the device will remain less traumatic and provide better recovery than existing retraction devices.
Insertion of the LiVac Retractor – Tubing First
For a thick abdominal wall tract an alternative insertion method may be preferred. The LiVac Tubing may first be fed into the insertion pathway with the LiVac ring to follow. Once inserted, the LiVac tubing can then be fed out through the same incision in the abdomen to connect to external suction tubing.
Exiting the LiVac Tubing Through the Abdominal Wall
As well as exiting the LiVac Tubing or Connector alongside an existing port, an alternative method for thick abdominal walls may be to exit the LiVac Tubing straight through the abdominal wall via its own dedicated incision in a similar fashion to a drain tube. There is less risk of tubing compression against the abdominal wall with no port present. The LiVac Connector internal part may be omitted in this process
Achieving a Seal – Flushing Fatty Deposits
If there are fatty deposits ‘floating’ in the abdomen, check that these have not become stuck in the LiVac Ring before attempting to achieve a seal. Flush the LiVac Ring with normal saline to clear any blockages.