Rectus sheath hooking: alternative method of abdominal wall lifting and fixing for laparoscopy: a pilot cadaver bio-mechanical study.

ABSTRACT

Four bio-mechanical tests were used to study properties of the rectus sheath for laparoscopic abdominal access procedure and to provide surgical exposure by the ChulaLift gasless retractor. The profile of forces and displacement showed how some patients were good candidates for the gasless operation. The lifting weight should not excess 10 kg for minimal harm and optimal exposure. The rectus hooking could be an alternative choice for abdominal wall fixing during the first trocar entry. One-cm width hooking, the rectus sheath could withstand 18-20 kg lifting force. The exposure provided by the gasless technique was narrow between the lateral ports compared to the conventional technique. The rectus sheath could be hooked to provide effective fixing of the area to be penetrated by the first trocar, and this fascial layer could be lifted to produce exposure in the gasless technique.