title: New technique for retraction of the strap muscles in endoscopic thyroidectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is extremely important to establish sufficient exposure and room for manipulation during endoscopic thyroidectomy. To solve this problem, the authors have developed a new technique for retraction of the strap muscles perfected during 500 cases of breast-approach endoscopic thyroidectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The new technique encompasses the use of 3 styles of retractor: the suture retractor, the button retractor, and the adjustable button retractor. These retractors are all easy to make and are all useful in different situations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new technique is a safe and cost-effective method. It reduces the operation time required to obtain good exposure without transecting the strap muscles. In addition, it is minimally invasive and confers cosmetic benefits.
authors.affiliation: Changzheng Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Sheng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Xiang-min
authors.initials: XM
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Dao-zhen
authors.initials: DZ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Cheng-Xiang
authors.initials: CX
authors.lastname: Shan
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qiu
mesh_terms: D019723:Endoscopes; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D009132:Muscles / Q000601:surgery; D013525:Surgical Instruments; D013965:Thyroidectomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*