SELF-RETAINING RETRACTOR SUPPORT. NEW APPLICATIONS.

A retractor support consisting of an inverted L-rod, fastened to the operating table with a clamp, can be applied in a variety of ways to maintain retraction more conveniently and reliably in some circumstances than a human assistant. Through universal joints and connecting rods it can be quickly adjusted to hold a Weinberg retractor, a BiBall retainer, a rectangular frame for multidirectional retraction in vascular repair, or a ribbon retractor for herniotomy, pneumonectomy and lobectomy. By freeing the assistant this device can shorten operating time and permit cumbersome procedures to be accomplished by a surgeon and one assistant with less operative trauma.