A Cooley left-angle retractor is a specialized surgical instrument used in cardiovascular and thoracic procedures to provide optimal exposure of the surgical site. Its primary uses include retracting delicate tissues and organs to give surgeons a clear view during complex heart and chest surgeries.

Cardiovascular surgery:

In open-heart procedures, it is used to hold back the left atrium and surrounding structures to provide a clear view of the mitral valve.

Mitral valve replacement and repair:

 The retractor is specifically designed for these procedures, where it is used to pull back the edge of the left atrium, allowing access to the mitral valve.

Atrial septal defect repair:

It helps to expose the interior of the heart for the repair of congenital defects.

Thoracic surgery:

It is also used in other chest surgeries to retract soft tissues, such as the lungs, to gain access to deep areas of the chest cavity.