Army Navy Retractor: Uses, Ends and Insulated Options
Instrument guides
Army Navy Retractor: Uses, Ends and Insulated Options
What the Army Navy retractor does, why it has a blade at each end, when to choose the insulated version, and how it compares with the retractors next to it.
An Army Navy retractor is a flat, double ended hand held retractor with a blade at each end. The two blades are bent at different depths, so the assistant turns the instrument over to fit the depth of the wound. It is used throughout general and plastic surgery to hold skin and the tissue under it out of the way, and it is usually used in pairs, one on each side of the incision. We make it at 21.5 cm, sold as a set of two, plain or insulated.
Where does the name Army Navy come from?
The name points to American military surgery, and examples by nineteenth and twentieth century American instrument makers survive in museum collections. We have not found a documented account of who designed it or when, and the dates on surviving examples vary. Many websites repeat a story about the two armed services designing it together. We found no source for that story, so we do not repeat it as fact. What is clear is that it became a standard instrument on general trays because it is simple, light and works at two depths.
Why does it have a blade at each end?
Each end is a smooth, flat blade bent at a right angle to the handle, and the two blades are different depths. A shallow wound takes the shorter blade and a deeper wound the longer one. Because the blades are smooth, they hold tissue back without gripping it. The flat handle between them gives the assistant a firm, comfortable grip during long cases.
Which Army Navy retractors can you order?
| Pattern | Length | Supplied as | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Navy Army retractor | 21.5 cm | Set of 2 | General retraction |
| US Navy Army retractor, insulated | 21.5 cm | Set of 2 | Electrocautery is used close to the blades, as in facelift and body surgery |
A pair lets an assistant retract both sides of the wound evenly. Many trays carry two pairs.
How does it compare with a Senn or a Langenbeck?
| Army Navy | Senn | Langenbeck | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ends | Two flat blades | Small blade and a three prong rake | One blade, one handle |
| Depth | Shallow to moderate | Shallow | Moderate to deep |
| Grip on tissue | Smooth | Smooth or pronged | Smooth |
| Guide | This page | Senn Miller guide | Langenbeck guide |
For retraction that holds itself, see the Gelpi and Weitlaner guide.
When should you choose the insulated version?
The insulated retractor has a non conductive coating so that current from an electrosurgical instrument used next to the blades is not carried into the tissue they touch. In facelift and body contouring, where dissection with cautery runs close to the retractor, choose insulated. Inspect the coating before every use. A chipped or cracked coating no longer protects, and the retractor should be taken out of use.
How should it be cleaned?
Rinse under warm water straight after use and clean both blades, including the inside of each bend. Check that the blade edges are smooth and the bends have not opened up. Never leave instruments in saline. See our instrument care guide and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization.
Frequently asked questions
Is an Army Navy retractor self retaining?
No. It is held by an assistant. For a retractor that holds itself, use a Gelpi or a Weitlaner.
Why are Army Navy retractors sold in pairs?
So the wound can be retracted evenly on both sides. Ours are supplied as a set of two.
Can an insulated Army Navy retractor be autoclaved?
Yes. Inspect the insulation after each cycle and retire the instrument if the coating is damaged.
What is the difference between an Army Navy and a Senn retractor?
The Army Navy has two smooth blades and is longer. The Senn is smaller, with a blade at one end and a three prong rake at the other.
Related instrument guides
- Senn Miller retractor
- Langenbeck retractor uses and sizes
- Gelpi vs Weitlaner retractor
- Liposuction cannula tip types
Order Army Navy retractors
See the hooks and retractors range. For several pairs for a department, send us your list and we will send you a quote.