The surgical industry is growing each day and new techniques and instruments are invented to fulfill the requirements of surgical procedures. Multiple instrument type has been evolved due to the demanding results of the healthcare field. Retractor is one of the most versatile instruments playing a vital role in the surgical industry. Some retractors are hand-held, but some are self-retaining that becomes popular due to having amazing features. Balfour Retractor is one of the most famous self-retaining retractors that has been preferred over the years during laparotomy surgical procedures. It was invented by Dr. Donald Balfour, That’s why named after the scientist. It is a combination of two well-known retractors the Doyen and the Gosset-type. Initially, this incredible instrument was intended to get pelvic exposure. But, later it was found helpful in upper abdominal procedures.
Delicate Design of Balfour Retractor
The retractor is comprised of a central retractor blade and
two curved-outward broad blades that are mounted on a ratcheted bar. The blade structure can be pushed apart in
order to open the incisions. The ratcheting mechanism holds the blades right
in-place. The central blade can be lowered or raised to increase surgical
exposure, as needed. There is also an additional option of a fourth arm but
added if the surgeon needs it. This advance self-retaining retractor is simple
and delicate in design that no additional cumbersome, expensive, or complicated
instruments are needed. It navigates the sterile draping to hook in any desired
position. This incredible combination of the retractor can be quickly applied,
removed, or reposition without breaking sterility. Thus, it provides
simultaneous gentle and forceful retraction. It is extremely versatile in
design. It has also come with a scoop-type blade that is highly specific for
certain surgeries, depending on the surgeon's need.
Have a look at
multiple patterns of the retractor!
Uses of Balfour Retractor
Balfour
Retractor is used in laparotomy practices to hold the incision or
wound opening. It may also be used for particular abdominal methods where the abdomen has to be kept open for assessment or evaluation, such as cesarean
sections, ablation of the intestines, ruptured diaphragm repair, liver, and
gastric surgeries.
The delicate design support the multidirectional thoracic,
cervical, perineal or abdominal exposure. The retractor holder greatly
minimizes the need for any extra operating room personnel.
It is not too large to fit in the typical benchtop autoclave
easily for general practices because the modified version allows both arms to
be separated from cross-piece, making it suitable enough to fit into a small
autoclave. The component of the scoop is slightly shortened to achieve this
aim.
Balfour retractor continues to be the most frequently used
self-retaining retractor in the surgical industry for human and animal
surgeries. This multifaceted tool comes in various sizes. It has shown
adaptability and reliability. It provides excellent surgical exposure due to its
delicate design, with the priceless advantage of enabling surgeons to focus on
surgery instead of holding retractors. This characteristic has made this
instrument synonymous with open surgery.
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