Langenbeck Retractor: Uses, Sizes and How to Choose
Instrument guides
Langenbeck Retractor: Uses, Sizes and How to Choose
What the Langenbeck retractor does, the five patterns we make, and how blade width, blade depth and handle style decide which one to order.
A Langenbeck retractor is a hand held surgical retractor with a single flat blade set at a right angle to a long shaft. It holds skin, fat and muscle away from the operative field so the surgeon can see and work. To choose one, match the blade depth to how deep the wound is, match the blade width to how much tissue you need to hold back, and pick the handle for how long it will be held.
What is a Langenbeck retractor?
It is a single ended retractor. The working end is a flat blade bent at a right angle. The other end is the handle. There is no ratchet and no frame, so an assistant holds it in place for as long as the exposure is needed.
It is named after Bernhard von Langenbeck, the German surgeon who gave his name to a long list of instruments and operations and co founded the German Surgical Society. A historical review of Bernhard von Langenbeck in Clinical Anatomy credits him with 21 operations and numerous surgical tools.
What is a Langenbeck retractor used for?
It is a general purpose soft tissue retractor. It is used across general and plastic surgery where the team needs a firm, narrow retraction point through an incision that is deeper than it is wide. Because the blade is narrow, it holds tissue back without crowding the wound or blocking the light and suits smaller incisions.
It is not a heavy retractor. For a large abdominal wall or a wide opening, a broad blade retractor or a self retaining frame does the job better.
Which Langenbeck patterns exist and how do they differ?
We make five Langenbeck patterns. The blade sizes below are written blade width by blade depth, read from our own product listings.
| Pattern | Overall length | Blade sizes (width x depth) | Choose it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| Langenbeck Retractor | 21cm | 8mm x 25mm, 12mm x 40mm, 12mm x 45mm, 12mm x 60mm, 12mm x 65mm | You want the classic pattern with the deepest blades in the range |
| Langenbeck Retractor Style 2 | 21cm | 10mm x 28mm, 10mm x 40mm, 13mm x 42mm, 14mm x 28mm, 14mm x 33mm, 16mm x 28mm, 16mm x 42mm | You prefer a differently contoured blade, or need wider shallow blades |
| Langenbeck Retractor Hollow Handle | 21cm | 10mm x 40mm, 13mm x 42mm, 16mm x 42mm | The retractor will be held for a long time and a lighter instrument reduces fatigue |
| Langenbeck Kocher Retractor | 21cm | From 7mm x 20mm up to 20mm x 45mm, in eleven sizes | You want the widest choice of widths and depths in one pattern |
| Langenbeck Green Retractor | 17cm | 6mm x 25mm, 8mm x 25mm | You need a shorter instrument with a small shallow blade |
How do blade width and depth decide the size you need?
Start with depth. The blade has to reach past the layer you are holding back, so a shallow incision through skin and fat needs a short blade and a deep incision needs a long one. A blade that is too deep for the wound tilts the handle up and is hard to hold steady. A blade that is too shallow slips out.
Then choose width. A narrow blade holds a small, precise edge and leaves room for other instruments. A wider blade holds back more tissue but takes up more of the opening. When in doubt, order two widths in the same depth, so the assistant can change without changing the angle of retraction.
Finally, choose the handle. Four of our patterns share the same 21cm overall length. The hollow handle is lighter, which helps when the same retractor is held through a long case. The 17cm Green pattern is the one to choose when a shorter instrument is easier to handle close to the field.
How is a Langenbeck different from an Obwegeser or an Army Navy retractor?
- Langenbeck: single ended, one right angled blade, a general purpose soft tissue retractor.
- Obwegeser soft tissue retractor: a maxillofacial retractor with a curved blade, made curved up or curved down, used for soft tissue exposure in orthognathic surgery.
- Army Navy retractor: double ended, and supplied as a matched pair so two can be used at once.
If the work is in the mouth or on the jaw, look at the Obwegeser family first. If you want two blade shapes in one instrument for superficial retraction, look at the Army Navy. For a single narrow blade in general or plastic surgery, the Langenbeck is the simpler choice.
How should a Langenbeck retractor be cleaned and inspected?
Rinse it straight after use so blood does not dry on the blade and in the angle where the blade meets the shaft. The CDC's guidance on cleaning medical instruments before sterilization sets out that thorough cleaning has to come before sterilization and that instruments should be presoaked or rinsed to prevent blood drying.
Clean with a neutral pH detergent and a soft nylon brush, never saline or steel wool. Before it goes back in the tray, check that the shaft is straight and the blade tip has no burrs or nicks that could catch tissue. Our instrument care guide covers cleaning, autoclaving and storage step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Langenbeck retractor self retaining?
No. It is hand held. Someone holds it in place for as long as the exposure is needed. If you need a retractor that holds itself open, look at a self retaining pattern instead.
What is the difference between a Langenbeck and an Obwegeser retractor?
The Langenbeck has a single right angled flat blade for general soft tissue retraction. The Obwegeser soft tissue retractor has a curved blade, made curved up or curved down, and is designed for maxillofacial work.
Can a Langenbeck retractor be autoclaved?
Yes. Ours are surgical grade stainless steel and fully autoclavable. Clean and dry them before each cycle.
Which Langenbeck length suits oral and maxillofacial work?
For work in the mouth and on the jaw, the curved Obwegeser and intra oral patterns usually fit better than a straight right angled blade. Where a Langenbeck is preferred, the 17cm Green pattern is the shortest in our range.
Order the pattern that fits your access
Compare the five patterns on their product pages and order the size that matches your incision. For a full set or a mix of sizes, send us your list and we will send you a quote. Browse the whole range of hooks and retractors.