The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 23, 478-479, Copyright © 1977 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
Radiolucent retractor for operative coronary angiography
JJ Collins Jr
A new retractor has been designed for sternal separation during cardiac
operations. This retractor has the advantage of radiolucent blades that
allow visualization of the entire heart by roentgenographic techniques
without compromise of surgical exposure during the course of operation. The
retractor also has swivel blades that provide excellent conformity to the
sternal edges without pressure points, which tend to produce fractures.