A new table-fixed retractor.

In summary, the goal of lowering operating room costs by reducing the number of persons needed for safe performance of operations is an important stimulus to the improvement and refinement of table-fixed retractor systems. Far more important in my view, however, is the need for a convenient system that can reliably replace extra help in emergency situations when a surgical procedure must be performed under less than optimal conditions. As teachers of surgeons, we should introduce table-fixed retractor systems into training programs so that surgeons can be familiar enough with them to use them effectively when necessary. This will not be accomplished unless table-fixed retractors are simple and convenient to set up and readjust.