Retraction system for transsphenoidal surgery. Technical note.

A retraction system has been developed for transsphenoidal surgery to use together with a conventional self-retaining speculum. The system comprises an attachment to the speculum, a self-retaining retractor, and a slim tapered brain spatula and pronged hook. The spatula or hook is secured with the self-retaining retractor and the attachment. The retractor can also be fixed to the Sugita multipurpose head frame. The system may be used to retract the bulging diaphragma sellae and tumor tissues, and to stop bleeding from the dural venous sinus or tumor bed, so the surgeon can continue the procedure with both hands.