A new internal mammary artery retractor.
A new retractor for asymmetric opening of the chest is presented. The instrument is mainly used for dissection of the internal mammary artery, but other applications are possible such as resection of large mediastinal tumors, or pulmonary resections through median sternotomy. The device is comprised of a standard retractor combined with a tilting mechanism which lifts one side of the chest (following median sternotomy) while depressing the other side, resulting in an asymmetric opening of the thoracic cavity. The retractor has been used routinely since late 1987. As of April 1990 it has been employed in more than 3000 operations, and has appeared to be safe and efficient.
Bugge
M
M
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Sahlgrenska Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000601:surgery*