Development of novel thoracic retractor for resuscitative thoracotomy

PMCID: PMC12172248

PMID: 40528231

DOI: 10.1186/s13049-025-01423-1

Journal: Scandinavian journal of trauma, resuscitation and emergency medicine

Publication Date: 2025-6-17

Authors: Urabe S, Shimazaki J, Izutani T, Hata T, Uemura M, et al.

Key Points

• Novel thoracic retractor significantly reduces time required for thoracotomy procedure
• Median procedure time reduced by approximately 56% compared to conventional retractor
• Improved device design could potentially enhance emergency surgical interventions in trauma settings

Summary

This study addresses a critical challenge in resuscitative thoracotomy (RT) by introducing a novel thoracic retractor designed to improve emergency surgical access during traumatic cardiac arrest or hemorrhagic shock. The research compared a newly developed retractor with a conventional model, focusing on procedural efficiency and ease of use in a controlled experimental setting using excised porcine thoraxes.

The novel retractor demonstrated significant performance advantages, with a statistically significant reduction in time required for handle rotations (median 16.0 vs. 7.0 seconds, P < 0.01). Surgeons rated the new device substantially higher in ease of insertion (6.0 vs. 2.5 on a 6-point scale, P < 0.01) and ease of rotation (5.5 vs. 2.5, P < 0.01), while maintaining equivalent hook stability. These findings are particularly crucial in RT, where rapid intervention can directly impact patient survival.