title: Easy closure of sternotomy by the Erk needleholder.
abstract: Conventional needleholders have elastic arms and lock with the aid of three or four triangle-shaped teeth ends on the arms. Because of these springs, the needle is not absolutely fixed. The Erk needleholder has thick, rigid and strong arms. Locking is obtained by the counter-balancing system and it securely holds the needle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Medical Faculty, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Kolbakir
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Keçeligil
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Erk
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D009339:Needles; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013908:Thoracotomy / Q000295:instrumentation*