Retractors are surgical instruments used to hold back or expose tissues and organs during a surgical procedure, providing the surgeon with better visibility and access to the surgical site. Retractors come in various shapes and sizes, and their selection depends on the specific procedure and the anatomical area being operated on. Here are some common types of retractors and their uses:
Handheld Retractors:
These are manually operated by the surgical team to hold back tissues. Examples include:
Army-Navy Retractor: Double-ended, with one side being wider than the other, used for general retraction.
Weitlaner Retractor: Has blades that can be either blunt or sharp and are self-retaining, often used for superficial and deep tissue retraction.
Richardson Retractor: Double-ended and self-retaining, with one end being toothed and the other smooth.
Self-Retaining Retractors:
Designed to hold tissues in place without continuous manual assistance. Examples include:
Bookwalter Retractor: A self-retaining system with adjustable arms and blades, commonly used in abdominal and pelvic surgeries.
Gelpi Retractor: A self-retaining, sharp-pointed retractor with a ratcheted handle, often used in orthopedic and small joint surgeries.
Rib Spreaders:
Used in thoracic surgery to spread the ribs and provide access to the chest cavity. Examples include Finochietto and Cooley rib spreaders.
Abdominal Retractors:
Used in abdominal surgeries to hold back the abdominal wall and organs. Examples include:
Balfour Retractor: A self-retaining abdominal retractor with adjustable blades.
Bookwalter Abdominal Retractor: A self-retaining system specifically designed for abdominal procedures.
Brain Retractors:
Used in neurosurgery to gently hold back brain tissues. Examples include Yasargil and Greenberg retractors.
Cranial Retractors:
Designed for use in cranial surgeries to expose the skull and provide access to the brain. Examples include Cushing and Penfield retractors.
Vaginal Retractors:
Used in gynecological procedures to hold back vaginal tissues for better visualization. Examples include Sims and Cusco retractors.
Dental Retractors:
Used in oral and maxillofacial surgery to hold back soft tissues for dental procedures. Examples include Cheek and Lip retractors.
Ophthalmic Retractors:
Used in eye surgeries to hold back tissues and provide access to the eye. Examples include Desmarres and Barraquer eyelid retractors.
Rectal Retractors:
Used in colorectal surgeries to hold back rectal tissues. Examples include Lone Star and Hill-Ferguson retractors.
Laryngoscope:
Used in throat and laryngeal surgeries to hold back the tongue and expose the larynx.
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