The difference between a hook and a retractor is not how many prongs it has. It is how the retraction force is distributed: a single plastic surgery hook puts all of it on one point, a rake spreads it across three or four, and a blade spreads it across a whole surface. Peak Surgicals stocks thirteen patterns for plastic and reconstructive work, in German stainless steel and CE marked and built under ISO 13485. Compare the full range in the grid below.
Why a Skin Edge Is Hooked, Not Gripped
Skin hooks exist because a skin edge cannot be gripped with anything that closes on it. Forceps crush the dermis and leave a mark that shows in the scar; a hook engages the cut edge from beneath and lifts it, so the tissue is held by shape rather than by pressure. That is why the sharpest instruments in a plastic surgery tray are the ones used on the most visible tissue.
Joseph Skin Hook (PS-HR-004, $13.20) and Gillies Skin Hook (PS-HR-001, $13.20) carry the classic single fine tips for skin edge handling. Bergmann Skin Retractor Hook (PS-HR-0014, $19.80) and Humby Swivel Double Skin Hook (PS-HR-0021, $19.80) add a second prong and, on the Humby, a swivelling head that keeps the tips aligned to the edge as the hand angle changes. Kleinert-Kutz Hook (PS-HR-002, $13.20) covers fine hand work at 16cm. We supply every pattern at MOQ 1.
Rakes, Blades and Nasal Tips
Rakes and blades take over where a point is no longer appropriate. A rake distributes the same traction across several prongs, so subcutaneous tissue and fascia are held without any one prong cutting through: Blair-Rollet Retractor (PS-HR-005, $13.20) carries four sharp prongs at 5½ inches, and Gorney-Maxwell Rake Retractor (PS-HR-0025, $19.80) adds a spring mechanism so the retractor holds itself once positioned. Senn-Miller Retractor pairs a rake at one end with a solid blade at the other, putting both options on one instrument at 6 inches.
Langenbeck-Green Retractor (PS-HR-0023, $19.80) is a solid blade throughout, at 25 × 6mm on a 16cm shaft, for deeper exposure where prongs would engage structures that should stay clear. Nasal work has its own tip geometry: Kilner Alar Hook Sharp (PS-KR-009, $13.20) and Martinez-Kilner Nasal Retractor Hook (PS-HR-0010, $19.80) carry short prongs at 8cm and 117mm for alar and columellar retraction in rhinoplasty.
Material, Reprocessing and Certification
Every pattern is forged from German stainless steel and passivated for corrosion resistance across repeated cycles. The inspection point on hooks and rakes is the tip under magnification, and on this range it matters more than usual because these instruments are used on tissue whose scar will be visible: check every prong for blunting or a rolled point, since a dulled hook has to be pushed rather than placed and tears the edge it was meant to lift, and confirm multi-prong instruments have all prongs present and aligned, because one bent prong puts the full load on the remainder. On spring and swivel patterns work the mechanism through full travel and confirm it holds position. Clean immediately with a neutral-pH enzymatic solution, brushing around prong bases and into the spring or swivel, then rinse with deionised water and dry fully, following the reprocessing instructions supplied.
These are Class I reusable devices, supplied non-sterile, CE marked and built under ISO 13485, with a one-year warranty. We ship at MOQ 1 with free shipping over $99. Browse all Plastic Surgery Instruments.
Our Top Selling Products :-
Gorney Maxwell Rake Retractor With Spring | Langenbeck Green Retractor 16cm 25x6mm | Meyerding Retractor | Bergmann Skin Retractor Hook | Senn Miller Retractor Double | Martinez-Kilner Nasal Retractor Hooks | Joseph Skin Hook | Gillies Skin Hook.
