title: Multiple organ retraction during urological laparoscopic surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  During laparoscopic surgery, as in open surgery, exposure is critical. We describe our surgical technique that provides intra-abdominal multiple organ retraction in order to obtain a stable surgical field and adequate exposure.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Flex Arm™ surgical holder (Mediflex Surgical Products, Islandia, NY) is an adjustable, spring-loaded articulating instrument holder. The device offers the flexibility of the attachment of multiple arms (up to three) on the same rod, which can rotate 360° to aid in positioning. This device permits multiple laparoscopic instruments to be held simultaneously. We used this device for multiple organ retraction during urological laparoscopic surgery (retroperitoneoscopic radical prostatectomy, n=5; laparoscopic radical nephrectomy, n=3; laparoscopic partial nephrectomy, n=2; laparoscopic pyeloplasty, n=2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We achieved significant improvements in the efficiency of retraction of the liver, kidney, colon, and prostate during urological laparoscopic surgery. Our method maintains a constant surgical field through the proper retractor position and the proper amount of isometric force for optimal exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With this device, instrument migration due to muscle fatigue and organ injury as a result of excessive force are all substantially reduced. We believe that this technique may be helpful not only in urological laparoscopic surgery, but also in laparoscopic approaches in other departments.
authors: Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Research, University of Toyama, Toyama, Japan. nozaki0921@yahoo.co.jp
authors: Tetsuo
authors: T
authors: Nozaki
authors: Tomonori
authors: T
authors: Katoh
authors: Akihiro
authors: A
authors: Morii
authors: Yasuyoshi
authors: Y
authors: Fujiuchi
authors: Akira
authors: A
authors: Komiya
authors: Hideki
authors: H
authors: Fuse
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009392:Nephrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000295:instrumentation; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013520:Urologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*