"Good visualization is key to successful surgery but when one is working in a small, tight area, this is vital. Working around the spinal cord carries significant risks.

The smooth, round atraumatic contour of the tip allows the surgeon to use this instrument as a retractor. The surgeon can retract against the spinal cord and nerve roots with less risk of dural tears or nerve root injury . Because of the design, this is especially handy when doing patients who have severe spinal stenosis, centrally and also within the neural formamens. The compression can be so tight that getting around it and performing an adequate decompression in the past was often difficult, challenging, and at times impossible. ANDRE's™ slim and atraumatic design facilitates spinal decompressions in this type of a situation with improved safety. By providing retraction, better exposure and visualization is achieved not only for the surgeon but also for the surgical assistant.

The holes on the anterior and posterior aspect of the tip, a clear surgical field can be obtained via continuous or intermittent suction. Often times, too many "hands" are in the field and can sometimes be cumbersome. This single instrument eliminates overcrowding issues and allows the surgeon more room.

ANDRE™ fits comfortably within the surgeon's hand and one can easily maneuver the index finger over the suction hole to provide variable suction whether surgeon is left or right handed.

ANDRE™ is more than surgeon friendly - it is also assistant friendly. It performs multiple tasks and does so with minimal manipulation."

Diana V. Medina ANP-C, MSN, BSN, RNFA