title: Utility of the Lone Star Retractor System in Microsurgical Carotid Endarterectomy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The retractor system is an important device in carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We applied the Lone Star (LS) Retractor System, which is a self-retaining retractor originally designed for improved visualization in many other surgical fields, in microsurgical CEA.
  
  
  METHODS
  The LS disposal retractor (14.1 cm × 14.1 cm) and LS elastic stays (5-mm sharp hook) were used as a retractor system in 38 consecutive CEAs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using the LS retractor system, a shallow operative field could be obtained by lifting up the connective tissue surrounding the deep structures hooked by the LS elastic stays. The LS elastic stays were quick and easy to handle in the microsurgical operative field. There were no complications using the LS retractor system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of the LS retractor system in microsurgical CEA is feasible. An additional merit is that it is single use.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan. Electronic address: strokect@aol.com.
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Toyota
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsuya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kumagai
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Tetsu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Goto
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kanji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Kansai Rosai Hospital, Hyogo, Japan.
authors.forename: Takuyu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Taki
mesh_terms: D016893:Carotid Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D016894:Endarterectomy, Carotid / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
keywords: Carotid endarterectomy; Lone Star Retractor System; Microsurgery