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Role of Retractors in Surgery

Role of Retractors in Surgery

In medicine, one of the most important phenomena of supporting wounds is retraction. Sometimes retractions alone can solve the problem, and there is no need for any other instrument or medication.

Role of Retractors in Surgery

In medicine, one of the most important phenomena of supporting wounds is retraction. Sometimes retractions alone can solve the problem, and there is no need for any other instrument or medication. But sometimes surgery is also required along with retraction.

Retraction is performed with the help of a retractor. A retractor is anything or any special device that is used to hold back something or to maintain a thing at its original position. Basically, this term is for the field of surgery. It has been used for the repair and diagnosis of different body parts. It plays a crucial role in enhancing and supporting the natural healing process of the body. There is a vast variety of retractors available these days, one of the most common of them is the Mason Judd Retractor.

Types

A number of retractors are manufactured by different medical companies nowadays. Which retractor should be picked up by the physician depends upon the type and location of injury. A retractor can be classified on the following basis:

1. Shape

From simple to complex a variety of shapes of retractors have been invented.

Examples:

  1. Baby Ribbon Retractor: A simple flat ribbon-shaped retractor used for the retraction of organs during surgery.
  2. MARS Anterior Retractor: With an extraordinary design and 360-degree blade hold, this retractor is used for the removal or addition of any foreign particle in the body.

2. Size

It can be of any size from small to large.

Examples:

  1. Mason Judd Bladder Retractor: A small-size retractor used for holding tissues and muscles in place during any kind of surgical procedure.
  2. Richard Abdominal Retractor: A large-size retractor with a rectangular shape mainly used for retracting the abdomen during surgery.

3. Function

It can also be classified based on its function.

Examples:

  1. Mouth Opener Retractor: As the name suggests, this retractor is mainly used by dentists to hold or open the mouth during dental treatment.
  2. Briesky Vaginal Retractor: This retractor is used by gynecologists to hold vaginal tissues to see a clear view of the infected site.

Usage

For the repair of any injury whether it is external or internal, a retractor can be used.

For External Injuries

External means outside the body. Externally it is usually used for relocating joints and bones and for muscle repair. In this case, it only provides the initial support to start the healing process at the exact location. It is usually of simple design but of large size.

Examples:

  1. Obwegeser Retractor: It is used to hold back the soft tissues for oral cavity diagnosis.
  2. Joint Retractor: It is used to relocate joints before and after surgery for the initiation of the natural healing process.

For Internal Injuries

Internal means inside the body system or a specific organ. Internally it is used to hold back the tissue at its position so that the process of surgery is not interfered with. It is usually of complex structures but of small size.

Examples:

  1. Mason Judd Retractor: It can be used in any field of surgery to hold back the tissues such as in gynecology and urology.
  2. Sternal Retractor: It is used for the clear visualization of mammary glands.

Applications

It can be used in any field of surgery, some of the major fields are mentioned below:

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gynecology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Transplantation

Importance

Before Surgery

Whenever an injury occurs to a bone or muscle, the foremost step is the X-ray analysis of the injury to see whether the bone or muscle is broken or dislocated or to see the severity of the injury. If the bone is dislocated a little, it can be treated externally with the help of a retractor. This can be done physically and forcefully by the hand of a doctor. It is painful but it takes the body towards the natural wound healing process. With time, new cells are formed, and the bone and muscles are repaired completely.

During Surgery

The most crucial role of retractors is during the process of surgery. Because it is a very sensitive process, a little mistake can be a risk to life. A particular part of the body is completely exposed to the external environment and it is important to keep everything in place and to protect the body from any foreign agent. Retractors do this job by holding back every type of soft and hard tissue away from the site of operation.

After Surgery

Retractors are also used after surgery to maintain the skeletal system so that the healing process is not interrupted. It may hold the wounds for weeks or months and is only removed after the wound is completely healed.

Conclusion

Retractors are one of the most important tools that are used during surgery. Without them, surgery is impossible. Surgeons and doctors are always in need of them. Nowadays new retractors are being introduced with improved functionality and structure.

For more information please visit our website: https://www.gryphonmedicalsolutions.com/

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