Cardiothoracic Procedures

Thompson cardiothoracic retractor sets support distinct exposure requirements in cardiac and chest wall surgery. The Bolling Mitral Valve Retractor Set provides low-profile, independently positioned retraction for mitral valve and related cardiac procedures, while the PectusAssist®  and Pectus Elevator Retractor Sets provide table-mounted support for chest wall correction.

Thompson cardiothoracic configurations support procedures including:

• Mitral valve repair and replacement 
• MAZE procedures 
• Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) 
• Pectus excavatum correction 
• Pectus carinatum correction 

The appropriate configuration depends on the surgical access, operative target, and whether the procedure requires intracardiac retraction, chest wall elevation, or compression. 

Cardiac and chest wall procedures require very different retraction strategies. Mitral valve surgery requires controlled access within a deep cardiac field while preserving working space above a sternotomy or thoracotomy. Pectus procedures require controlled movement of the sternum or anterior chest wall through elevation or compression.

Effective cardiothoracic retraction may need to support:

• Stable positioning throughout the required exposure phase 
• Controlled retraction direction and incremental adjustment 
• Low-profile access around the cardiac field 
• Working space for instrumentation and procedural steps 
• Components selected for the surgical approach and patient anatomy 

The mounting architecture also differs. Bolling cardiac attachments integrate with a compatible sternal or rib spreader, while Thompson pectus configurations use a bilateral frame mounted directly to the OR table. 

Thompson offers three primary cardiothoracic configurations:

• Bolling Mitral Valve Retractor Set: Low-profile cardiac retraction for sternotomy and thoracotomy access 
• PectusAssist® Retractor Set: Table-mounted elevation or compression for pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum 
• Pectus Elevator Retractor Set: Table-mounted 2-in-1 elevation or compression support for pectus excavatum 

Each configuration is built around a different exposure requirement rather than a common frame design.

Bolling Mitral Valve Retractor Set

Developed with Steven F. Bolling, MD

The Bolling Mitral Valve Retractor was developed through collaboration between Thompson Surgical Instruments and Steven F. Bolling, MD, a cardiac surgeon specializing in mitral valve repair and reconstruction. The collaboration focused on creating the low-profile, stable exposure required for complex mitral valve techniques. 

The resulting configuration mounts directly to compatible sternal or rib spreaders, keeping the attachment architecture close to the chest rather than adding a separate frame above the surgical field. Short retractor handles, configurable CV Clamp attachments, and independently positioned Universal Joints allow the setup to be adapted to the surgical access and chest depth.

Sternotomy and Thoracotomy Access

The Bolling Mitral Valve Retractor Set can be configured for both sternotomy and thoracotomy access. Thompson’s sternotomy configuration integrates the Bolling attachments with a sternal spreader, while the thoracotomy configuration uses compatible attachments with a rib spreader. 

Within those access routes, the configuration can support different approaches to mitral valve exposure, including:

• Direct atrial / left atrial approach 
• Transseptal approach 

This distinction allows the frame, blade, and handle arrangement to be matched to both the route into the chest and the specific cardiac exposure required.

Retraction Requirements for Mitral Valve Procedures

Mitral valve repair and replacement require direct access to deep cardiac anatomy while maintaining room for valve assessment, reconstruction, or replacement.

Mitral valve retraction may need to support:

• Low-profile positioning for sternotomy or thoracotomy access 
• Controlled atrial or septal retraction 
• Independent positioning of multiple retraction points 
• Blade and handle lengths matched to chest depth 
• Compatibility with the selected sternal or rib spreader 

Low-Profile, Configurable Cardiac Retraction

CV Clamp L-Bar, Mini L-Bar, and T-Bar options mount to compatible sternal or rib spreaders and provide attachment points for Universal Joints. Multiple attachment styles allow the configuration to be adapted to surgeon preference, operative access, and the available working area.

Universal Joints allow individual retractors to be positioned independently. The joints may also be oriented so the adjustment knob remains below the attachment bar, helping keep the retractor handles and hardware close to the spreader and clear of the primary surgical workspace.

The Bolling set is designed for use with a wide variety of sternal and rib spreaders, supporting multiple cardiac configurations and approaches. 

Bolling Retractor Blade Options

The Bolling Blade Kit includes several cardiac blade styles:

• Malleable Paddle retractors for atrial or septal retraction 
• Cushing retractors for atrial retraction during a transseptal approach 
• Basket retractors for left atrial wall retraction 

Malleable Paddle, Cushing, and Basket retractors are available with 5-inch, 6½-inch, and 8-inch handles. Basket retractors are also available in small, medium, and large widths, allowing blade and handle selection to match patient anatomy and chest depth. 

The Bolling configuration supports mitral valve repair, mitral valve replacement, MAZE, CABG, and related cardiac procedures requiring focused, independently controlled retraction. 

The Thompson Laparoscopic Retractor Set provides hands-free support for compatible scopes, laparoscopic instruments, and Nathanson hooks. Quick attachment changes allow the surgical team to select the holder and attachment that best fit the procedure, port placement, and required range of movement. 

The set can be configured with flexible, rigid, or articulating holding options. A single holder may support one scope, instrument, or Nathanson hook, while two independently positioned holders can support separate components when the procedure requires more than one support point.