Simple no-hands retraction for a lateral approach to the proximal femur

A simple technique allows orthopedic surgeons to perform no-hands retraction for a lateral approach to the proximal femur during fixation of an intertrochanteric fracture with a sliding hip screw. All instruments remain sterile and within 6 inches of the surgical wound during the procedure. Use of this technique is particularly valuable in the event that a surgeon is operating with only 1 surgical assistant, who may not be able to provide adequate assistance with retraction while concurrently preparing surgical instruments.