Prevention of transient liver damage after laparoscopic gastrectomy via modification of the liver retraction technique using the Nathanson liver retractor

Introduction: Although laparoscopic radical gastrectomy has several advantages over conventional surgery, postoperative liver dysfunction is an unwanted complication. The major cause is considered to be use of mechanical liver retraction. To prevent liver damage after laparoscopic gastrectomy, we modified the liver retraction method: the retractor was used only after lymph node dissection along the greater curvature had been completed, and it was released before reconstruction and intermittent repositioning to avoid discoloration of the liver parenchyma. This study sought to determine whether postoperative liver dysfunction could be prevented by making these simple modifications. Methods: In this retrospective study involving 114 laparoscopic gastrectomy patients, postoperative serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and total bilirubin levels were compared between laparoscopic gastrectomy patients who had undergone the modified procedure and those who had not. Discoloration of the liver was classified into three groups just before the retractor was released at the end of surgery. Results: Aspartate aminotransferase and ALT levels on postoperative days 1 and 2 and the proportion of patients with elevated aspartate aminotransferase or ALT levels on postoperative day 1 were significantly lower after the modifications. ALT level on postoperative day 1 was significantly higher in the subgroup with broad liver discoloration. Conclusions: Reducing the duration of liver retraction and moving the position of the retractor or releasing it intermittently before discoloration of the liver parenchyma may be effective for preventing postoperative liver damage.