Comparison of a Novel, Trocar-Free Internal Liver Retractor to Standard Liver Retraction in Bariatric Surgery.

Introduction: Adequate liver retraction is an essential step in bariatric surgery, with technical challenges due to an enlarged, fatty liver. Traditional methods utilize externally fixed, rigid retractors with inherent drawbacks including an extra incision, pain, scarring, and liver injury. Advancement of laparoscopic techniques for liver retraction methods has focused on simplicity, reproducibility, safety, and effective use to avoid patient comorbidity.