Inexpensive self-retaining retractor for minor surgical procedures.

The need for adequate surgical exposure frequently leads to the use of hand-held retractors, tying up operating room personnel and depriving the assistant a direct view of the procedure. Self-retaining retractors are a great help because they assist in obtaining and maintaining the exposure needed for surgery. Traditional self-retaining retractors often have sharp tips that are capable of damaging tissue. Our self-retaining ring retractor uses material already present in the sterile field and can be constructed in less than 3 minutes. It is efficient, easy to use, and exerts a known and finite amount of force, thereby avoiding tissue damage.