Randomized controlled trial comparing three methods of liver retraction in laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Article Overview

Traditional liver retractors require another wound for insertion, are bulky, and may cause iatrogenic liver injury. This study aimed to evaluate differences between three methods of liver retraction during laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass (LRYGB) and to compare novel liver retraction techniques with the traditional mechanical liver retractor in a randomized controlled trial.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial comparing traditional Nathanson liver retractor (Group 1) with liver suspension tape (Group 2) and (V-LIST) the V-shaped liver suspension technique (Group 3).

1. Patients were randomized to one of three groups (20 in each).
2. This was a Double-blind study, with the patient and follow-up assessors blinded to the procedure details.
3. During the surgery, one patient each in Groups 2 and 3 were converted to Group 1.

The primary outcomes measured were liver dysfunction after retraction in each group. The secondary outcomes measured were intraoperative difficulty and postoperative pain.