title: A new table-fixed retractor.
abstract: In summary, the goal of lowering operating room costs by reducing the number of persons needed for safe performance of operations is an important stimulus to the improvement and refinement of table-fixed retractor systems. Far more important in my view, however, is the need for a convenient system that can reliably replace extra help in emergency situations when a surgical procedure must be performed under less than optimal conditions. As teachers of surgeons, we should introduce table-fixed retractor systems into training programs so that surgeons can be familiar enough with them to use them effectively when necessary. This will not be accomplished unless table-fixed retractors are simple and convenient to set up and readjust.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D013523:Surgical Equipment / Q000191:economics