Symmetry Medical Inc., in Warsaw, Ind., has released a series of enhancements to the Bookwalter table-mounted surgical retraction system, which is sold through its hospital direct surgical instrumentation division, Symmetry Surgical. Bookwalter was included in Symmetry’s acquisition of Johnson & Johnson’s Codman & Shurtleff division in December.

The company reported that new features of the system include lighter tray weight, increased usability, and reusable radiolucent blades (which are used in procedures involving an intra-operative X-ray). Company officials also noted that the system’s improvements were aimed at meeting the challenges of surgical intervention on the obese patient population. An expanded ring system was added to increase surgical exposure.

"Good exposure is the key to good surgery," said John Bookwalter, M.D., inventor of the eponymous system. "We have managed to maintain the integrity and stability of the Bookwalter retractor system, while reducing the overall weight of the system. This is important to the nurses and technicians who have to lift and move these sets throughout the day."

The system is being featured at the Annual Meeting of the Association of Operating Room Nurses, which is being held March 26-29, in New Orleans, La.

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