Fig. 2.

Design for the application of the LST used for liver retraction. We measured the length of the left liver lobe intraoperatively and then cut a Jackson–Pratt drain tube to the same length near the site of the drainage hole. We penetrated it with a 2-0 prolene suture (monofilament polypropylene suture W8400; Ethicon). The needles were retained at both sides for further liver puncture. The liver-retraction procedure: a One of the needles attached to the LST was inserted into the left edge of the liver and then brought out through the abdominal wall in the left upper quadrant. b The other needle attached to the tape was inserted into the left liver lobe near the falciform ligament and then brought out through the abdominal wall in the midline. The liver was retracted to an appropriate position and the sutures fixed with Kelly clamps. c The right liver lobe suspended for retraction