title: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy with two original lifting bars.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in which the abdominal wall is lifted with two original lifting bars, especially for patients with cardiopulmonary disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed our original lifting bar. It consisted of a bent stainless steel rod 5 mm in diameter. We used two lifting bars to get a better surgical field. We performed LC on many cardiopulmonary-compromised patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Since 1994, we have performed 250 LCs with good results using the two-bar method. No severe complication occurred in any LC using the two-bar method. Only two cases were converted to conventional open surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By traction to the teres ligament, the liver is lifted to the median abdominal wall. As a result, the surgeon can get a suitable surgical in field in which manipulate the inferior surface of the liver. Our lifting method is suitable for cardiopulmonary-compromised patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Fujieda Heisei Memorial Hospital, Mizukami 123-1, Fujieada Shizuoka, Japan, 426-0074. heisei.ohara@ny.tokai.or.jp
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: O'hara
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirai
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niwa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Taniguti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017081:Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011028:Pneumoperitoneum, Artificial / Q000379:methods; D013997:Time Factors