Staircase concept of instrument placement in microsurgery.

A new technique of mechanical support for microinstruments of action (e.g., scissors and air turbine drills) is presented. The technique consists of attaching instruments to ball and cable retractor arms (Flexbars) and securing them to a framework around the operative site. By assigning functional levels for instrument and hand placement, surgical procedures are simplified and shortened. A brief comparison of self-retaining retractors and an evaluation of them in terms of this technique is also included.