EXPOSING AND

RETRACTING
INSTRUMENTS
are used to hold back or retract organs or tissue to gain exposure to the
operative site. They are either "self-retaining" (stay open on their own)
or "manual" (held by hand). When identifying retractors, look at the
blade, not the handle.

Cushing Vein Retractor

- used to retract veins and small vessels

Senn Retractor
- double-ended, one end has a three prong rake (may be sharp or
blunt), other end has a slender 90 degree blade that curves under
slightly and used to retract skin and shallow tissue
VOLKMANN Retractor
- tips may have 2 to 6 curved prongs which may be blunt or sharp
and used to retract tissue in shallow incisions

MURPHY
- tips may have 2 to 6 blunt or sharp prongs, proximal end has a
flange and ring to facilitate easier holding and retraction and used
to retract tissues in shallow incisions

RIBBON RETRACTOR
- flat, stainless steel which permits repeated bending, shaping and
used where special retraction of tissue requires specific shape
deaver RETRACTOR
- tips are rounded with a circular curved blade, handle may be
straight or curved and used for deep cavity tissue retraction

kelly RETRACTOR
- rounded tips and curves slightly under with blade angled 90° to the
left and used for deep cavity tissue retraction

Richardson RETRACTOR
- tip is rounded and curves under with blade angled 90° to the left
and used to retract tissue during incision
parker RETRACTOR
- double ended- curved U-shaped bends of unequal sizes at both
ends, used to retract tissue in shallow incisions and usually in a set
of two

USA RETRACTOR
- double ended- blades angled 90° of unequal sizes at both ends,
used to retract tissue in shallow incisions and in a set of two
harrington RETRACTOR
- shank has a large outward curve forming a half circle and used to
retract tissue in deeper cavities

sims RETRACTOR
-  a double-bladed surgical instrument used for examining the vagina
Balfour abdominal Retractor
- has six interchangeable blades ranging from 2" to 4" deep and used
to retract wound edges and internal organs during abdominal
procedures

bookwalter abdominal Retractor

- attaches to the operating room table over the sterile drape,
exposure achieved by an oval, round, or segmented ring to which
retractor blades are attached, 14 interchangeable blades and used to
retract wound edges and internal organs during abdominal
procedures
GELPI Retractor
- sharp, pointed, and curve down and out, shanks are long with an
upward curve, self-retaining adjustable ratchet lock w/ thumb
release and used to retract heavy tissues such as muscle

weitlaner Retractor
- tips are two different blade prongs. One blade has semi sharp
prong tips, while the other blade has four semi-sharp prong tips.
On both, the prongs turn outward, shanks are long and curve
outward then inward, self-retaining adjustable ratchet lock and
used to retract tissue in shallow areas such as neurological and
orthopedic procedures

Yamie Bae P. Sulong

Student Nurse