title: A cost-effective retractor and heart stabilizer for minimal-access coronary bypass.
abstract: Exposure for internal mammary artery harvesting and immobilization of the coronary artery during the performance of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass grafting requires the use of appropriate retractors and instruments. We have successfully used existing retractors and instruments, modified for such use, which are reusable and cost effective. The use of such a retractor and cardiac stabilizer is described.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiac Surgery, Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts 01107, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Rousou
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Engelman
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Flack
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Deaton
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D017743:Equipment Reuse; D006321:Heart / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D008323:Mammary Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D013784:Textiles; D014143:Traction / Q000295:instrumentation
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene