Retractors and Spreader Surgical Instruments
A surgical retractor holds tissue, an organ, or an incision open to give the surgeon visibility and access to the operative field. A spreader does a related job on a larger scale — mechanically widening a cavity, most often the rib cage, to create working space rather than just holding soft tissue aside. This catalog spans general, cardiothoracic, orthopedic, neurosurgical, and gynecological retraction instruments.
General and Abdominal Retraction
The Balfour Retractor and Balfour Abdominal Retractor hold a self-retaining abdominal incision open across a range of exposure sizes (7–9.25 inches), while the Deaver Retractor and Davis Retractor offer hand-held blade patterns for general abdominal and soft tissue work.
Cardiothoracic Retraction and Spreading
The Finochietto Rib Spreader (Curved) mechanically widens the rib cage for thoracic access — the core "spreader" function in this collection. The Cooley Atrial Retractor, Ross Aortic Valve Retractor, and Parsonnet Epicardial Retractor are procedure-specific patterns used during open-heart surgery to expose the atrium, aortic valve, and epicardial surface respectively.
Orthopedic and Joint Retraction
The Hohmann Retractor (thin end and curved variants) is a staple of orthopedic exposure, used to lever and protect soft tissue around bone during joint and fracture procedures. The Charnley Retractor is a self-retaining pattern built specifically for hip arthroplasty exposure, and the Capsule Retractor ("Batman") supports joint capsule retraction during similar procedures.
Neurosurgical and Spinal Retraction
The Cloward Style Blade Retractor and Markham Meyerding Hemilaminectomy Retractor are built for spinal exposure during laminectomy and disc procedures. The Miskimon Cerebellar Retractor and Scalp Retractor support cranial access during neurosurgical procedures.
Shoulder, Gynecological, and ENT Retraction
The Fukuda Style Shoulder Retractor and Browne Deltoid Retractor support shoulder arthroscopy and open shoulder exposure. For gynecological procedures, the Breisky Retractor, Sims Vaginal Retractor, Gelpi Perineal Retractor, and Lateral Wall Retractor cover vaginal and perineal exposure needs. The Converse Nasal Retractor supports rhinoplasty and nasal access.
Find the Right Category Faster
Given the size of this catalog, you'll generally find what you need faster in a specialty-specific collection: Cardiovascular Retractors for cardiac and thoracic work, Bone Retractors and Levers and Knee Retractors for orthopedic procedures, Gynecology Retractors for OB/GYN work, Nasal Retractors for rhinoplasty, and Proctology Retractors for anorectal procedures. For veterinary-specific patterns, see Veterinary Surgical Retractors.
Ordering
Peak Surgicals manufactures and supplies retractors and spreaders in bulk for hospitals, clinics, and distributors worldwide, with international shipping and custom logo branding available on request — contact our team for a wholesale quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between a retractor and a spreader?
A retractor holds tissue or an incision open, typically along one plane. A spreader mechanically widens a cavity — most often the rib cage — creating working space rather than just holding soft tissue aside.
What is a Finochietto retractor used for?
It's a rib spreader used in thoracic and cardiac surgery to mechanically widen the rib cage, creating the access needed for procedures inside the chest cavity.
What's the difference between a Hohmann and a Charnley retractor?
A Hohmann retractor is a hand-held or lever-style pattern used for general orthopedic exposure around bone. A Charnley retractor is a self-retaining pattern built specifically for hip arthroplasty.
Why are there so many named retractor patterns?
Retractor shape and mechanism are matched closely to the anatomy and procedure — a pattern built for cardiac atrial exposure won't work well for abdominal or nasal retraction, which is why surgeons rely on named, procedure-specific patterns rather than one general-purpose design.
Where should I look if I need a procedure-specific retractor?
Check the specialty-specific collections linked above — Cardiovascular, Orthopedic, Gynecology, Nasal, or Proctology — rather than browsing this full 156-product catalog, since those pages are organized around a narrower, more relevant set of patterns.
