Breast Augmentation Dissectors and Spreaders: Dingman, Transaxillary and Tebbetts Patterns
Instrument guides
Breast Augmentation Dissectors and Spreaders: Dingman, Transaxillary and Tebbetts Patterns
Which dissectors make the implant pocket from each incision, how spreaders and breast retractors help, and the lengths we make them in.
Breast pocket dissectors are long, blunt instruments that free the tissue plane for an implant through a small incision. The incision decides the instrument: inframammary (submammary) dissectors such as the Dingman are shorter and angled for the fold, and transaxillary dissectors such as the Reynolds and Wiselander are longer to reach from the armpit. Spreaders and breast retractors such as the Tebbetts hold the pocket open so you can see and place the implant.
Why are these instruments so long?
Breast augmentation is done through small incisions placed away from the breast itself: in the fold, around the areola or in the armpit. Long, blunt dissectors make the pocket by feel from a distance, with little bleeding. In transaxillary surgery, published technique credits better results to endoscopic assistance or specialised lighted retractors, which is why these dissectors are often used with our fiber optic retractors.
Which dissectors and spreaders do we make?
| Instrument | Length | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Dingman submammary dissector | 31 cm | Inframammary pocket |
| Agris Dingman submammary dissector | 35 cm, left, right or pair | Inframammary pocket, sided |
| MacCollum Dingman dissector | 43 cm | Longer reach |
| Reynolds transaxillary dissector | 40 cm | Pocket from the armpit |
| Wiselander transaxillary dissector | 46 cm | Longest transaxillary reach |
| Solz breast hook dissector | 37 cm, left, right or pair | Hooked tip for the pocket edge |
| Atraumatic dissector, Silverstein | 36 cm | Blunt pocket dissection |
| Tebbetts spatulated, angulated retractor | 33 cm | Holding the pocket open |
| Marx breast retractor | 27 cm, 130 x 25 mm blade | Wide blade retraction |
| Breast and facial spreader, Iconoclast spreader | 22 or 29 cm | Spreading the pocket for the implant |
| Mammostat breast elevator | 28 cm | Lifting the breast during surgery |
What about planning and markers?
Symmetry is planned before the first cut. Areola markers, the McKissock keyhole marker and calipers are covered in our markers and calipers guide.
How should long dissectors be cleaned?
Clean the full length straight after use, including the inside of any hook or angle. Check that the tips are smooth, because a burr on a blunt dissector tears tissue. Never leave instruments in saline, because it causes corrosion. Our instrument care guide gives the full routine, and the CDC guidance on cleaning instruments before sterilization explains why cleaning comes before the autoclave.
Frequently asked questions
What is a transaxillary breast dissector?
A long, blunt dissector used to make the implant pocket through an incision in the armpit.
Why are some dissectors sold as left and right?
The curve is shaped for one side. Buying a pair means both sides are dissected with a matching curve.
What does a breast spreader do?
It spreads the incision and the pocket so the implant can be placed and checked.
Can these be autoclaved?
Yes. Check that your sterilization trays are long enough for 40 cm and longer instruments.
Related instrument guides
- Fiber optic lighted retractors
- Plastic surgery markers and calipers
- Liposuction cannula tip types
- Army Navy retractor
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