A study backed by the US Department of Defense has identified the Titan CSR from Texas-based Advanced Surgical Retractor Systems as the top-performing surgical retraction tool for forward-deployed military medical teams.
A surgical retractor is equipment medical experts use to hold back tissue or organs, giving clear access to the area being operated on, such as in trauma or abdominal surgery.
The technology underwent evaluation alongside other leading retractor solutions with metrics on surgical exposure, ease of use, portability, and suitability for damage control surgery in austere environments.
The study found that the device provided the largest surgical exposure area, scoring 4.9 out of 5 from surgeons, assembled and deployed faster than a competing retractor that requires a table attachment often unavailable in combat hospitals, and earned the highest overall ratings for setup, adaptability, stability, and effectiveness.
Made of high-strength titanium and weighing 2.2 pounds (998 grams), the Titan CSR features a modular design, assembles in under a minute, and works with blades and optional lights available on the market.
It is actively used by US military hospitals, special operations teams, and deployed medical units, delivering efficient performance in austere or high-pressure environments.
Findings were presented at the Military Health System convention in the paper titled Comparison of Self-Retaining Retractor Systems for Use in Forward-Deployed Surgical Teams.
The project was led by Dr. Mylea Echazarreta Cristner, who accepted the Military Health System 2025 Young Investigator Award for the milestone.
