What it means
Retractors come in two main kinds. Handheld retractors, such as the Army-Navy, Richardson and Deaver, are held by an assistant. Self-retaining retractors, such as the Weitlaner and Balfour, have a lock or frame that holds them open on their own. Blades come in many shapes and sizes for different depths and tissues.
For the nurse
Retractors are included in the instrument count. Long retraction can press on nerves and skin, which is one reason positioning and padding are checked during long cases.
At a glance
| Also written | retractors |
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Related terms
surgical technologist
A member of the operating room team who prepares the sterile field and instruments and hands them to the surgeon.
curette
A surgical instrument with a small spoon- or loop-shaped tip used to scrape tissue.
hemostat
A clamp with finger rings and a locking ratchet used in surgery to grasp and close off bleeding vessels.