Retractors

Retractors

Exposure decides how a procedure goes before the first incision is even made, and that's the retractor's job. Velmourne's surgical retractors cover self-retaining and hand-held patterns for abdominal, thoracic and soft tissue work, in the sizes small and large animal practice both call for.

Self-Retaining vs Hand-Held

• Self-retaining retractors (Gelpi, Weitlaner, Balfour, Finochietto) free a pair of hands for the rest of the procedure
• Hand-held retractors (Langenbeck, Senn Miller, West) give an assistant direct control over the angle and pressure of retraction
• Correct blade depth and width avoid excess tissue trauma at the wound edge
• A dedicated rib spreader (Finochietto) is built for the load thoracic access puts on it — a soft tissue retractor is not

Retractors in This Collection

• Balfour Abdominal Retractor — self-retaining exposure for abdominal procedures.
• Finochietto Rib Retractor — for thoracic access.
• Gelpi Retractor and Weitlaner Retractor — self-retaining options for smaller surgical fields.
• Langenbeck Retractor, Senn Miller Retractor and West Sharp Retractor — hand-held patterns for direct assistant control.
• Mini West Retractor and Morris Retractor — smaller-field alternatives.
• Dog Lip Retractor 16cm — for oral and dental access in canine patients.

Blades and ratchets are checked for smooth, secure action, since a retractor that slips under load undoes the exposure it was meant to hold.