Cardio Surgery
Low-Profile Design, Uncompromised Exposure
Thompson’s Cardiothoracic product line includes the Bolling Retractor System and Drake Hook. Fast, secure, and out of the way, this fully customizable system is especially ideal for the Trans Septal Approach, Direct Atrial Approach, Thoracotomy Approach, Mitral Valve Repair, Mitral Valve Replacement, Maze, and more!
What Our Customers Say
“I took out a 39 lb. tumor. The Thompson was a major help with exposure and sped up the case a lot!”
Elizabeth J. Lilley, MD, MPH
“I evaluated the Thompson Retractor as a vascular fellow in 1970 at UCSF Medical Center and have used it throughout my career as a vascular surgeon until my retirement in 2002. A great product!”
PETER NOYES, MD
“This system is a shoulder-saver and is like having another tireless assistant standing next to me.”
STEVEN THOMAS, MD
“Set it, forget it.”
STEVEN F. BOLLING, MD
“The three most important aspects of mitral valve surgery are: EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE.”
STEVEN F. BOLLING, MD
“Thompson products always facilitated my operations!! Great engineering and quality!”
JOHN (JEB) HALLETT, MD
“The Thompson AL Brau Blades have become essential for the Anterior Mini-Open approach to the lumbar spine with a proven 15 year track record of safety. You get steady, rock solid exposure providing excellent visualization throughout without the need to re-adjust thus saving time by reducing the ‘fiddle factor.’”
SALVADOR A. BRAU, MD, FACS
“The Thompson retractor is essential for all complex Hepato-Pancreatico-Bilary surgery in order to allow for safe and effective dissection and transection.”
ROBERT CG MARTIN, II, MD, PHD, FACS
“The Thompson Spine Frame allows me to do cases which I would not have thought possible a few years ago and is absolutely essential in us developing these novel and extensive approaches.”
BRONEK BOSZCZYK, MD
“The success of outpatient total hip arthroplasty will depend upon orthopaedic autonomy in the ASC. The Thompson hip system is a simple solution that provides consistent and reproducible exposure. It is cost-effective and creates more OR space by minimizing personnel. It is ‘a must have’ for outpatient THA.”
MARK J. POWERS, MD, FACS, FAAOS
“Thompson did it again…perfect!”
MARK J. POWERS, MD, FACS, FAAOS
“The Thompson Hip System has an elegant design that optimizes the synergy between instrumentation and surgical technique allowing unimpeded visualization while performing muscle sparing ( or minimally invasive ) total hip arthroplasty.”
MARK J. POWERS, MD, FACS, FAAOS
“The Thompson Retractor is in my view the best retractor for liver, hepato-pancreato-biliary and gastric splenic surgery. The access given to the upper abdomen is unmatched by any other system. The availability of valves for overweight and obese patients is also of paramount assistance. I believe that this retractor should be available in all hospitals.”
PROF LUC DELRIVIERE, MBBS, MD, FRCS, FRACS
“Optimal visualization and retraction in an increasingly obese surgical population is difficult. Rib cage retraction required suboptimal improvisation with ill-suited blades, until now.”
DAVID SINDRAM, MD, PHD
“I am quicker, more dynamic and precise in my biliary procedures. In addition, I am essentially non-reliant on my assistant for exposure or system.”
DAVID SINDRAM, MD, PHD
“The advantages of the Thompson Retractor over other retractors include excellent upper abdominal visibility thanks to the ability to perform Subcostal Retraction. What is particularly good are the multiple set-up options, including the creation of a circle, catering to multiple procedures and patient sizes including those that are morbidly obese”
MEHRDAD NIKFARJAM MBBS, MD, PHD, FRACS
“The Thompson Retractor is of use at all times during cytoreductive surgery with HIPEC and is essential for an optimal result.”
PAUL H. SUGARBAKER, MD, FACS, FRCS
“By improving the direct visualization of the native landmarks during Direct Anterior Approach THA, the Thompson Hip Retractor System provides the surgeon with improved confidence for consistent, accurate component placement.”
LEE E. RUBIN, MD
“The Thompson Liver Transplant/Resection System is the best retractor system available.”
MICHAEL ANGELIS, MD
“I find the Thompson Retractor an invaluable tool. It is the only retractor of its kind that can accommodate 3, 5, and 10mm instruments. This allows me to perform complex laparoscopic and thoracoscopic cases on infants and children with ease and safety. I recommend it exclusively for all my cases.”
THOM LOBE, MD
“I use the Thompson retractor on every anterior cervical case, even single level procedures. The set up takes me less than 2 minutes and the improved exposure and solid non-mobile retraction provided is phenomenal.”
VINCENT TRAYNELIS, MD
“This retractor provides focal and dependable retraction in the space between the transverse processes. This exposure facilitates a transforaminal decompression, pedicle fixation, and intertransverse fusion in those patients in which an open approach is indicated. The system easily adapts to single or multilevel situations.”
VINCENT TRAYNELIS, MD
“The Thompson retractor is, in my view, the best retractor for complex HPB and gastrointestinal surgeries. It has allowed us to minimize the incision for a multi-visceral transplant, allowing it to be performed by a midline approach. The exposure obtained and the independence provided to the surgeons and assistants, provides the right setting for teaching. Every surgical department should have one.”
PROF GABRIEL E. GONDOLESI MD, MAAC, FACS
“I prefer the Thompson Retractor because it reduces dysphagia by reducing tissue damage”
MICHAEL G. FEHLINGS MD PHD FRCSC FACS FRSC
“Thompson Surgical provides the most hassle-free, versatile retractor. For those complex, difficult procedures, as well as the routine, its ease of setup, strength and use, as well as lack of constant readjustment, always provides me reliable and safe exposure. Hands down, this should be every surgeon’s go-to retractor.”
MICHAEL NIZZI, DO, FACOS
“The Thompson Retractor makes liver transplant easy. It provides outstanding exposure for pediatric liver transplant, the best retractor I have seen in my 25 years as a transplant surgeon.”
MICHAEL WACHS, MD
“I utilize the Thompson Retractor for exposure on all of my nerve sparing radical perineal prostatectomy cases because it contours to the wound, is low profile, and easily accommodates varying patient anatomy. The versatility of the retractor allows me to utilize a less invasive perineal approach to nerve sparing prostatectomies. I use it for excellent exposure to do pubovaginal slings as well.”
MICHAEL J. HARRIS, MD
“The Thompson System provides terrific cephalad rib retraction without ever slipping down or moving during the course of the case.”
BRENDAN C. VISSER, MD
“There is really no other system on the market that is comparable to the Thompson for open liver surgery. It offers the critical combination of easy set-up and dependable solidity.”
BRENDAN C. VISSER, MD
“The new Thompson cervical system has made a huge difference for my anterior cervical cases. Exposure now is second to none with great reliability and less adjustments needed compared to other systems. It is expedient as well and can be set up in under a minute once you have a handful of cases experience with it. It’s brilliant, the customer service team is very responsive and friendly, and it’s truly the system every anterior cervical spine surgeon needs in their toolbox!”
JEFFREY KACHMANN, MD
“I found the exposure afforded by this system to be excellent! It frees up my assistant’s hands and it’s rigidity provides secure consistent exposure.”
DOUGLAS F GEIGER, MD
“The Thompson Cervical Retractor System frees up my assistant’s hands for other tasks to help the surgery run more smoothly. Solid positioning of the retractor blades decreases risk of injury to local tissues. It’s a great system.”
VITTORIO M. MORREALE, MD
“When you buy a Thompson, you buy it for life.”
ALBERTO GÓMEZ PORTILLA, MD, PHD
“I am absolutely in love with the Thompson System and the ‘hands-free’ surgical approach it provides.”
ALBERTO GÓMEZ PORTILLA, MD, PHD
“When someone asks for an assistant, I say, ‘Pull out a Thompson!'”
ROBERT MIKKELSEN, MD
“The versatility of the Thompson Retractor allows us to change approaches to suit each patient, improving results and reducing incision sizes.”
PROF. GABRIEL E. GONDOLESI, MD, MAAC, FACS
“I rely on Thompson for all my challenging cases; it is my first choice of system.”
BRONEK BOSZCZYK, MD
“Use of the Thompson Hip System has increased efficiency and decreased operating time in our department.”
DR. LUK VERHELST
“I use the Thompson System for every hip case. It has been the most notable advancement the last two years in my orthopedic practice. I would never go back to the way it was done before.”
DR. LUK VERHELST
“The Thompson system provides the greatest level of safety for my patients.”
BRONEK BOSZCZYK, MD
“Where we set off to use the system as means to an end, reducing the need for extra staff, it has done much more than that. The Thompson System is always ready, always willing, never tired… It is my go-to, off the shelf, perfect assistant.”
DR. LUK VERHELST
“We believe the use of the Thompson System has improved our patient outcomes. The system is able to create much more consistent, non-traumatic tension on the retracted muscles. Intra-operative tears of the Tensor fascia latae in the direct anterior approach have reduced significantly following the introduction of the Thompson.”
DR. LUK VERHELST
"My first step, after applying pressure…is to call for the Thompson retractor. I have successfully dealt with all kinds of uncontrolled situations now and my first step, after applying pressure and making sure anesthesia knows we’re in trouble, is to call for the Thompson retractor."
RICHARD E. DAVIS MD FACS
Consultant General Surgeon, Program Director, General Surgery Residency AIC Kijabe Hospital
"Thompson is the friendliest and most efficient company I have ever used. The whole thing takes time to introduce the product and as a result puts forward only the best opportunities that really suit you. They help from start to finish to create a great product identity for your company."
Shalima Hayden, MD
Customer title TBA