Hand Held Retractors
The hand held retractor is a versatile instrument that can be readily moved and manipulated and it applies as much or as little force as desired. There are many different designs suited to different purposes.
Langenbeck's
Available in different sizes these retractors are useful for retracting superficial wound edges.
Army pattern
Also known as Durham-bar, Kenny-Ryles and army-navy these double ended retractors are frequently used to retract wound edges.
S shaped
Predominantly used during open dissection for Hassan cannula insertion at laparoscopic surgery. Each end of the S has a slightly different curve.
Fritsch's
A curved retrator designed for use on the body wall.
Deaver's
A curved retractor available in various widths and curvatures. A general purpose abdominal retractor.
Cat's paw
The Senn-Mueller retractor commonly known as a "cat's paw" is a double ended small retractor for skin retraction in small and delicate wounds.
Skin hooks
The dissecting tenaculum is available as single or double pronged and is designed for skin retraction and usually used in plastic and hand surgery.
St Mark's
A lipped, right angled pelvic retractor. It also frequently incorporates a fibreoptic light carrier. Used in deep pelvic surgery such as rectal dissection.
Kelly's
A curved right angled retractor. Used in deep pelvic surgery such as rectal dissection.
Copper malleable
Essentially a flat piece of soft, malleable metal that is able to be shaped as desired. Available in different widths it is often bent into a hook over another retractor.
Scapula
The Tudor-Edwards scapula retractor is used whilst making a thoracotomy to elevate the scapula and lift it off the chest wall.
Lung
The Allis lung retractor is used at thoracotomy to gently retract the lung. It may be covered with a damp cotton sleeve to further protect the lung.
Rake
These retractors are available with 3 to 6 teeth and provide excellent retraction to skin edges.