title: Exposure of the mitral valve using flexible self-retaining retractors and an atrial hook.
abstract: We hereby present our technique for using the self-retaining flexible arm retractor and its attachments for mitral valve exposure. The Aortic Valve Assistant, which was developed for aortic valve exposure, is also very useful for exposure of the inferior wall of the left atrium. Our modified atrial hook provides excellent exposure of the anterior mitral annulus. Extensive dissection and the combined use of the flexible arm and attachments allows us comfortable access for mitral valve operations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kansai Rousai Hospital, 3-1-69 Inabaso, Amagasaki, Hyogo 660-8511, Japan. shibata@msic.med.osaka-cu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Toshihiko
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasuoka
authors.forename: Kazushige
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Inoue
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ikuta
authors.forename: Yasuyuki
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Bito
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D004867:Equipment Design; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D018583:Pliability; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000601:surgery; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000601:surgery