title: An easy and useful exposure technique using a malleable u-shaped retractor for proximal anastomosis in abdominal aortic replacement.
abstract: During surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, various problems can occur at the proximal anastomosis. Adequate exposure must be secured, and the proximal anastomosis must be sutured firmly. We have used a malleable U-shaped retractor to easily secure exposure of the proximal anastomosis. Despite recent advances in endovascular treatment, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair often requires open surgery. We describe our malleable U-shaped retractor technique, which is very easy and facilitates the creation of a secure proximal anastomosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Tomoki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shigehiko
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tokunaga
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shota
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yasuda
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Kanagawa Cardiovascular and Respiratory Center, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Izubuchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Munetaka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masuda
keywords: abdominal aortic replacement; malleable ring; proximal anastomosis