Developing a new ergonomic retractor with Trauma and Critical Care Surgeon Dr. Ramon Cestero

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by PearsonRavitz Insurance. You can learn about them and schedule a consultation on my website at: https://pearsonravitz.com/surgicalergonomics/Disclosure: PearsonRavitz is a paid sponsor and the affiliate link above supports the podcast at no cost to you. Episode details:Dr. Ramon Cestero is a Professor of Surgery at UT Health San Antonio and a nationally recognized trauma and critical care surgeon. A former Navy surgeon with extensive experience in combat and austere environments, he has dedicated his career to advancing surgical care through innovation and education.Dr. Cestero is the Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder of Advanced Surgical Retractor Systems, Inc. and the inventor of the TITAN CSR® retractor, a next-generation surgical exposure system designed to address the longstanding limitations of traditional retractors. The TITAN CSR® retractor has been the subject of a Department of Defense–funded military study and a published case review series, and it has earned national recognition, including the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma’s Best New Instrument award two years in a row. His work reflects a commitment to improving surgical ergonomics, optimizing operating room performance, and advancing technologies that enhance both surgeon effectiveness and patient outcomes.In this episode, Dr. Cestero:- Shares information about the commonly used surgical retractor systems and discusses their limitations- Describes how his work in combat environments inspired him to develop a new retractor system- Discusses the details about the TITAN CSR retractor, including how it can be integrated into existing workflows and equipment surgeons and OR personnel are already familiar with- Details his innovation journey, where he initially partnered with the Office of Technology at his institution to manufacture a prototype and test it, and eventually formed his own company- Explains how the new retractor improves team ergonomics and efficiency- Emphasizes that the retractor also has the option of built in lightingYou can reach Dr. Cestero hereDetails for the TITAN CSR retractor hereFollow Surgical Ergonomics on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube please reach out to us if you have any suggestions regarding episode ideas and guests or if you'd like to be a guest on the podcastIf you found this episode valuable, please share it with a colleague or your perioperative team to help bring greater awareness to the role of ergonomics in career longevity. If you're enjoying the podcast, I'd be grateful if you left a review on your favorite podcast platform. Your reviews help others discover the show and support our mission of improving the health and longevity of surgeons and proceduralists worldwide.