PS and VY contributed to data extraction, interpretation of the maximum visual length and satisfaction scores.
The curved blade was designed to improve the surgeon's visual length field.
With the maximum visual length of the PSU retractor from 8 assessors, the mean maximum visual length was 47.7 (8.1) mm, which was statistically significantly better (p value less than 0.05) than the Senn retractor (39.2 (6.5) mm).
Our new retractor showed significantly better maximal visual length compared to the Senn retractor (47.7 8.1) mm vs. 39.2 6.5) mm).
Each assessor assessed the maximal visual length of both the Senn and PSU retractors in four separate trials.
The maximum visual length was defined as from the proximal edge of the skin incision to the last visible mark on the ruler.
Our new retractor improves visual length, which should be useful in reducing or preventing potential neurovascular complications from blind mini-incision techniques.
An amputated arm from a 30-year-old woman diagnosed as synovial sarcoma at the shoulder was used to test the maximal visual length.
A mini-surgical incision was performed at 3 cm distal to the transverse wrist crease and a tiny flexible ruler was inserted through the tunnel beneath the skin to measure the maximal visual length.
An amputated arm from a 30-year-old woman who had suffered synovial sarcoma at the shoulder was used to test the maximum visual length of both the Senn and PSU retractors.
