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Abstract

A retraction method and apparatus therefor are useful in laparoscopic surgery in a body cavity, for moving an internal organ or vessel which interferes with the surgery to an out-of-the-way displaced position and maintaining it there apart from a laparoscopic port. In this method, a sling having attached suture material is inserted into the body cavity through a laparoscopic port and manipulated about the organ/vessel to be moved, by a retractor and/or forceps. A small needle hole is then punctured into the cavity, a narrow retrieval instrument is inserted through the needle hole to retrieve the ends of several suture leads attached to the sling, and to retract them from the body cavity to move the interfering organ or vessel to a non-interfering position. The suture leads may be clamped or tied off outside the body. Tools useful with the method include a sling, a retrieval instrument and a J-hook passer-retractor.

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First Claim