Use of a portable floor crane as an aid to resection of the massive panniculus.

Resection of the massive abdominal panniculus is technically difficult due to the weight of the tissue and the difficulty in controlling the tissue during surgery. The authors describe the use of a portable floor crane that facilitates resection by reducing the number of assistants required, increasing exposure, and providing for adequate control of the specimen, which assures proper preoperative markings and sterile preparation. Blood loss is reduced, as is operating time. The portable floor crane is usually available in hospital maintenance departments and can be easily modified for intraoperative use.