Passer au contenu

Surgical Retractor Guides

Surgical Retractors Names, Images & Uses

Auteur : Saad Shahid · Mis à jour · 7 min de lecture

Surgical retractors names, images and uses
A selection of handheld retractors, blades and frame components from the Retractor Maker range.

Surgical retractors hold tissue away from the operative field so the surgical team can see and reach the area they are working on. This guide explains what retractors are, how they are classified, and how they are selected and cared for, and it includes a searchable reference table of surgical retractors names, images and general uses drawn directly from the Retractor Maker catalogue.

What Is a Retractor?

A retractor holds skin, fat, muscle, and organs away from the target area to provide controlled surgical exposure. Almost every open procedure depends on this access before the surgeon can dissect, repair, or close. Retractors are among the oldest surgical instrument families and remain among the most frequently handled instruments on any tray.

Retractors share a purpose but differ in size, blade shape and depth, prong number and sharpness, and handle design. Some lock in place or mount on a frame. Designs also vary by specialty. A small double-ended retractor for a skin flap differs greatly from a table-mounted abdominal system. No single design suits every procedure.

This guide covers basic categories, selection factors, and general care principles. Its central section lists names, images, and general uses for the complete published Retractor Maker range. Search the range by name or filter it by specialty.

Contents

What Is a Surgical Retractor?

A surgical retractor holds back or moves tissue away from the operative field to give the surgical team visibility and access. Retraction may involve gently lifting a skin edge or holding the abdominal wall open throughout an operation.

Retractors create exposure by moving tissue laterally to widen an incision or holding deeper structures away from the treatment area. These structures may include bowel, muscle, or an organ lobe. Blade or prong shape determines how the load spreads across contacted tissue. Available forms include flat, curved, lipped, malleable, toothed, and smooth blades.

Size and shape follow anatomy. A shallow hand incision needs a short, narrow blade. A deep pelvic or abdominal field needs a longer, wider blade. Specialty designs address each region's depth, angle, and tissue type. Nasal and ear retractors are small and fine. Spinal retractors hold back heavy paraspinal muscle. Cardiac retractors are shaped around the sternum and chest wall.

How Do Handheld Retractors Work?

Handheld retractors are positioned and held manually by a surgeon or assistant for as long as exposure is needed. They allow moment-by-moment changes in angle, depth, and tension as the operation progresses. The trade-off is continuous manual holding, which occupies a pair of hands and can cause fatigue during a long case.

Common handheld patterns include the double-ended Senn retractor for superficial tissue and the curved Deaver retractor for deeper abdominal and thoracic exposure. Others include the right-angled Langenbeck retractor, the broad Richardson retractor for the abdominal wall, and the double-ended Army-Navy retractor for shallow incisions. The small Ragnell retractor is used in plastic and hand surgery.

How Do Self-Retaining Retractors Work?

Self-retaining retractors use a ratchet, screw, spring, or frame to keep blades in position without continuous manual holding. They free the surgical team's hands and provide steady exposure. If the required view changes, manual repositioning is usually necessary.

Examples include the Gelpi and Weitlaner retractors, which spread tissue with pointed tips or toothed rakes secured by a ratchet. The Balfour retractor is a frame-style abdominal retractor with lateral blades and a centre blade. Table-mounted Bookwalter and Thompson retractors attach to the operating table and support multiple adjustable blades around a ring or rail.

Retractor Names, Images, and General Uses

The table below presents the complete Retractor Maker product catalogue. Each entry includes a product image, name, and general use. Search by product name or filter by specialty.

Affichage de 507 écarteurs chirurgicaux

Écarteur Acétabulaire à Double Pointe Étroite by Retractor MakerÉcarteur Acétabulaire à Double Pointe ÉtroiteSpécifiquement conçu pour exposer le rebord acétabulaire et déplacer les tissus environnants lors des procédures de reconstruction et d'arthroplastie de la hanche.
Adaptateur Mayfield réglable by Retractor MakerAdaptateur Mayfield réglableSpécifiquement conçu pour monter de manière sécurisée les systèmes de fixation crânienne de style Mayfield sur des tables d'opération dépourvues de trous de réception intégrés ou nécessitant un positionnement décalé latéralement.
Écarteur de Adson Cerebellum by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de Adson CerebellumSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer la rétraction autostatique des muscles et des tissus mous lors des interventions de la fosse crânienne postérieure et de neurochirurgie.
Écarteur Cérébelleux Autobloquant d'Adson by Retractor MakerÉcarteur Cérébelleux Autobloquant d'AdsonSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer l'écartement tissulaire autobloquant et maintenir une exposition chirurgicale structurée lors des procédures crâniennes et rachidiennes.
Écarteur Alaire (Alar Retractor) by Retractor MakerÉcarteur Alaire (Alar Retractor)Spécifiquement conçu pour la rétraction de l'aile du nez et l'exposition du cartilage alaire lors de rhinoplasties et de procédures ORL.
Écarteur pulmonaire Allison by Retractor MakerÉcarteur pulmonaire AllisonConçu pour abaisser et déplacer le parenchyme pulmonaire de manière atraumatique lors d'interventions chirurgicales thoraciques et cardiovasculaires.
Écarteur de Mastoidite Allport by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de Mastoidite AllportSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer la rétraction autostatique des tissus mous sur l'apophyse mastoïde lors de procédures otologiques et neurochirurgicales.
Écarteur autostatique ALM by Retractor MakerÉcarteur autostatique ALMSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer la rétraction tissulaire autostatique lors de procédures chirurgicales mineures, ophtalmiques, plastiques et de la main.
Écarteurs autostatiques ambidextres by Retractor MakerÉcarteurs autostatiques ambidextresSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer une rétraction réversible et autonome des tissus mous, utilisable de chaque côté du champ stérile.
Écarteur Anderson Bear Claw by Retractor MakerÉcarteur Anderson Bear ClawSpécifiquement conçu pour une traction cutanée ferme, l'élévation de lambeaux cutanés et la rétraction des tissus mous en chirurgie plastique et reconstructrice.
Écarteur Cérébelleux Autostatique Anderson-Adson by Retractor MakerÉcarteur Cérébelleux Autostatique Anderson-AdsonSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer la rétraction autostatique des muscles et des tissus lors des procédures neurochirurgicales de la fosse crânienne postérieure et de la région sous-occipitale.
Écarteur condylien fémoral antérieur by Retractor MakerÉcarteur condylien fémoral antérieurSpécifiquement conçu pour exposer les condyles fémoraux antérieurs et rétracter l'appareil extenseur lors d'une arthroplastie totale du genou.
Écarteur de rebord antéromédial du col fémoral antérieur by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de rebord antéromédial du col fémoral antérieurSpécifiquement conçu pour exposer le col fémoral antérieur et le rebord antéromédial lors de l'arthroplastie de la hanche et de l'ostéotomie de la tête fémorale.
Écarteur de bord acétabulaire antérolatéral by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de bord acétabulaire antérolatéralSpécifiquement conçu pour exposer le rebord acétabulaire antérolatéral et déplacer les tissus mous environnants lors d'une arthroplastie de la hanche.
Écarteur rotulien AORI by Retractor MakerÉcarteur rotulien AORISpécifiquement conçu pour écarter et éverser la rotule lors des procédures d'arthroplastie totale du genou primaire et de révision.
Écarteur de hanche APC by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de hanche APCSpécifiquement conçu pour exposer la marge acétabulaire et le col fémoral lors de l'arthroplastie de la hanche et de la chirurgie reconstructive.
Écarteurs Army-Navy - Jeu de deux by Retractor MakerÉcarteurs Army-Navy - Jeu de deuxConçu pour assurer l'écartement manuel des tissus mous et des berges de la plaie dans les champs opératoires superficiels et intermédiaires.
Écarteur de lèvre supérieure Arnett Le Fort by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de lèvre supérieure Arnett Le FortSpécifiquement conçu pour élever et protéger la lèvre supérieure et la muqueuse vestibulaire lors des ostéotomies de Le Fort et de la chirurgie orthognathique.
Écarteur nasal Aufricht Daniel by Retractor MakerÉcarteur nasal Aufricht DanielSpécifiquement conçu pour élever l'enveloppe cutanée et les tissus mous dorsaux du nez lors de rhinoplasties esthétiques et reconstructrices.
Écarteur nasal Aufricht by Retractor MakerÉcarteur nasal AufrichtSpécifiquement conçu pour élever les lambeaux cutanés nasaux et maintenir une visualisation claire de l'arête nasale pendant les procédures de rhinoplastie.
Écarteur nasal Aufricht Nasal Retractor - Fiber Optic by Retractor MakerÉcarteur nasal Aufricht Nasal Retractor - Fiber OpticSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer l'écartement éclairé des tissus mous et l'exposition dorsale lors de la rhinoplastie et de la chirurgie nasale reconstructrice.
Écarteur nasal Aufricht Walter by Retractor MakerÉcarteur nasal Aufricht WalterSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer l'écartement des tissus mous à double extrémité et l'élévation des lambeaux muqueux lors de la rhinoplastie et de la reconstruction nasale.
Écarteur de joues et de tissus Austin by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de joues et de tissus AustinSpécifiquement conçu pour écarter les joues, les lèvres et les lambeaux mucopériostés lors de procédures chirurgicales intrabuccales, maxillofaciales et dentaires.
Écarteur de col condylien Awty by Retractor MakerÉcarteur de col condylien AwtySpécifiquement conçu pour exposer et protéger le col du condyle mandibulaire lors d'ostéotomies orthognathiques et traumatologiques.
Écarteur B-Z by Retractor MakerÉcarteur B-ZSpécifiquement conçu pour assurer la rétraction autostatique des tissus mous profonds et des muscles paraspinal lors de chirurgies orthopédiques, rachidiennes et pelviennes.

How Do You Choose a Surgical Retractor?

Retractor selection is a clinical decision for the surgical team and facility. The factors below are commonly considered when building trays or specifying instruments. They are general considerations, not recommendations for a particular patient or procedure.

Which Designs Suit the Surgical Application?

The procedure and specialty narrow the choice first. An abdominal case, spinal fusion, and rhinoplasty require entirely different instrument families. Many patterns were developed for a specific type of operation.

How Does Anatomical Location Affect Selection?

The location and depth of the operative field determine blade length, handle angle, and overall size. Deep fields need longer blades and handles that keep the assistant's hand out of the line of sight. Superficial fields need short, light instruments.

Which Blade Size and Shape Are Needed?

Blade width and depth should match the tissue being held. Flat, curved, lipped, and malleable blades retract tissue differently. Toothed rakes and sharp prongs grip skin and fascia. Smooth, blunt blades are used where tissue should not be punctured.

Handheld or Self-Retaining: Which Design Fits?

A handheld retractor offers continuous, adjustable control but occupies an assistant. A self-retaining retractor provides steady exposure and frees hands, but is less easily adjusted. It must also suit the wound's depth and shape. Many procedures use both designs.

How Much Exposure Is Required?

Selection depends on the width, depth, and direction of the required view. Wide incisions may need multiple blades pulling in several directions. A narrow approach may need one deep blade or a tubular retractor.

Do You Need a Complete System or Individual Instruments?

Some procedures require complete retractor systems; others need only individual handheld retractors. Systems may include a frame or ring, table post, clamps, arms, blades, and accessories. When ordering, confirm the included components and which blades are compatible with an existing frame. Request a quote for a complete retractor system.

How Should Reusable Retractors Be Maintained and Sterilized?

Reusable retractors should be handled, cleaned, inspected, sterilized, and stored according to the applicable manufacturer's instructions for use (IFU) and the healthcare facility's approved procedures. Proper maintenance and reprocessing are important.

General maintenance considerations include:

  • Clean instruments after use according to the applicable manufacturer's instructions.
  • Pay particular attention to joints, hinges, ratchets, locks, and other moving components.
  • Inspect retractors for visible contamination, corrosion, cracks, deformation, or mechanical damage.
  • Check that moving components function properly before returning instruments to service.
  • Ensure instruments are appropriately cleaned before sterilization.
  • Follow the manufacturer's specified sterilization method and parameters.
  • Allow processed instruments to dry appropriately before storage.
  • Store clean, processed instruments in a suitable environment that protects against contamination and damage.

Do not apply a universal sterilization cycle to every surgical retractor. Requirements vary with the instrument, material, design, and manufacturer's instructions.

For Retractor Maker products, follow the applicable product documentation and the healthcare facility's validated reprocessing procedures.

Download the full product catalogue for offline reference. Get the Retractor Maker catalogue.

For pricing and lead time, send our team the product name, quantity, and destination country. Enquiries can cover a specific surgical retractor, complete retractor system, replacement blade, or custom configuration. Contact Retractor Maker.

Avis clinique : ce guide s'adresse aux équipes chirurgicales et aux acheteurs hospitaliers. Suivez toujours la notice d'utilisation (IFU) du fabricant et les règles de stérilisation de votre établissement avant tout usage clinique.

Foire aux questions

What is a surgical retractor?

A surgical retractor holds back tissue, organs, or wound edges to provide access and visibility to the surgical field. Retraction can range from lifting a skin edge to holding the abdominal wall open throughout an operation.

What are retractors used for?

Retractors maintain or improve operative exposure by moving or holding tissue away from the area being accessed. They can widen an incision by displacing tissue laterally or hold deeper structures, such as bowel, muscle, or an organ lobe, away from the treatment area.

What are the main types of surgical retractors?

Retractors include handheld designs, self-retaining designs, and larger frame-based systems. Their designs vary with the intended application and required exposure. Handheld designs require manual holding, while self-retaining designs use a mechanism to maintain blade position without continuous manual support.

What is the difference between a handheld and self-retaining retractor?

A handheld retractor is positioned and held manually, while a self-retaining retractor maintains its position through a retaining mechanism. Manual holding allows continuous changes in angle, depth, and tension. Self-retaining designs free hands but usually need manual repositioning when the required view changes.

Are retractors reusable?

Many retractors are designed for reuse, but reusability and reprocessing requirements depend on the specific product. Follow the applicable manufacturer's IFU and healthcare facility procedures for handling, cleaning, inspection, sterilization, and storage rather than assuming all products have the same requirements.

How should retractors be sterilized?

Retractors should be cleaned and sterilized according to the applicable manufacturer's instructions and the healthcare facility's approved, validated reprocessing procedures. Do not assume one sterilization cycle applies to every retractor. Requirements can vary with material, design, and product-specific instructions.

Where can I find surgical retractor names and images?

Retractor Maker's surgical retractor catalogue is a product reference containing names, images, and product information across its range of surgical retractors. The table in this article includes the complete published catalogue, covering the products in that range.

How do I choose the right surgical retractor?

Choosing a surgical retractor depends on the intended surgical application, anatomical area, required exposure, design, dimensions, and other product-specific requirements. Qualified surgical professionals should determine which surgical retractor is appropriate for the intended application, considering these selection requirements.

What is a Deaver retractor used for?

A Deaver retractor is a curved handheld retractor used for deeper abdominal and thoracic exposure. The surgeon or an assistant positions and holds the Deaver retractor manually, adjusting its angle, depth, and tension as the operation progresses.

How does a Balfour retractor differ from a Bookwalter retractor?

A Balfour retractor is a frame-style abdominal retractor, while a Bookwalter retractor is a table-mounted system. The Balfour retractor has lateral blades and a centre blade. The Bookwalter retractor carries multiple adjustable blades around a ring or rail. Both are self-retaining retractors that maintain blade position without someone holding them continuously.

What should be checked when inspecting a reusable surgical retractor?

A reusable surgical retractor should be inspected for visible contamination, corrosion, cracks, deformation, and mechanical damage. Check moving components for proper function before returning the surgical retractor to service. During cleaning, pay particular attention to joints, hinges, ratchets, locks, and other moving parts.

À propos de l'auteur

Saad Shahid · Responsable commercial et marketing

Saad Shahid est responsable commercial et marketing et fondateur de Retractor Maker, créé en 2023 à Sialkot, au Pakistan. Il travaille aussi avec son père chez Hospitech Traders, l'entreprise familiale d'instruments chirurgicaux fondée en 1989.

Voir tous les articles et guides
Tous les écarteurs

Besoin d'écarteurs chirurgicaux ou de composants ?

Dites-nous ce dont vous avez besoin, y compris le produit, la configuration, la quantité et le pays de destination. Retractor Maker peut fournir la disponibilité, les spécifications et les tarifs.

Demander un devis

Indiquez-nous la configuration dont vous avez besoin et nous établirons un devis approprié.

Envoyez votre liste de produits, la quantité et le pays de destination. Notre équipe répond avec la disponibilité, les spécifications et les prix — pas de panier, pas de paiement, pas de compte requis.

Disponible 24/7