Rib spreader

The rib retractor (engl. Rib spreader or rib retractor ) is a surgical instrument from the group of holding instruments or retractors. During the thoracotomy, it is used to expand and hold open the chest.

Function and use

Two blunt and wide metal hooks are attached to a toothed rail so that they can slide against each other. After cutting through the intercostal space and opening the pleura ( pleura parietalis ), the hooks are inserted into the wound along the upper and lower ribs and spread using a crank device. This provides a rigid, wide open access to the thorax and its organs as well as to the intermediate membrane ( mediastinum ), via which most lung and thoracic surgical interventions ( pneumonectomy , pleurectomy , lobectomy , creation of the upper anastomosis in the mediastinally enlarged gastrectomy , etc.) are carried out can be.

For operations on the heart, the sternotomy is the more common approach. Here too, the rib spreader is placed between the severed halves of the sternum to keep the surgical field open.

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