Retractors are medical devices used to hold surgical fields in place. They come in different types and can be used to hold tissue aside or specific organs. They are sterilized after each use and are also used in dental surgery.
A retractor is a medical device that is used to hold the edges of the surgical field in place for the purpose of keeping the field clear. There are dozens of different types of retractors in active use, and some surgeons have specific preferences depending on which areas of the body they operate on, their training, and their experiences. These devices are available in medical supply catalogs that contain surgical supplies.
There are a couple of ways a retractor can be used. The device can simply act as a retractor, holding tissue aside so a surgeon can clearly visualize the surgical field. For example, during abdominal surgery, once an incision is made, a surgeon can insert a retractor and use it to separate the incision to see inside the body. Retractors can also be used to hold back specific organs; in the example of abdominal surgery, for example, a retractor might be used to hold out the intestines while the surgeon works on the liver.
Retractors are usually curved and may resemble circles, S-curves, or angled paddles. The handle is usually designed to be held comfortably by hand. A surgeon or assistant can hold a retractor in place, or the device can be locked to free up the hands and keep the area around the surgical field clear. These devices can also be operated by a medical robot which will hold the retractor stationary for the surgeon.
These devices are also used in dental surgery to hold the mouth open and hold the tongue back. For patients, this can sometimes be quite uncomfortable, as patients may be awake for dental procedures and the retractor may feel uncomfortable. The device also makes communication difficult, so a patient may want to make arrangements with the dentist to create a signal that can be used if something is wrong.
Like other tools used in surgery, a retractor is designed to be sterilized for safety. Surgical steel is commonly used to manufacture these tools and they are made without seams, cracks and other vulnerable areas that could create opportunities for bacteria to settle. After each patient, a retractor is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized in a device such as an autoclave to kill any microorganisms present. This reduces the risk of patient-to-patient transfer of infectious agents during surgical procedures, when the body tends to be particularly vulnerable.
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