Richardson Retractor for Surgical Tissue Retraction

The Richardson retractor is a handheld surgical retractor shaped specifically for retracting tissue during open surgical procedures, most often used to hold back the abdominal wall or other soft tissue at the edge of an incision so the surgeon has clear access to the operative site. Its blade is generally set at an angle from the handle, letting the assistant apply steady retraction while keeping their hand clear of the surgeon's working space.

Reliability and durability are central to a retractor's role in theatre, since it needs to maintain firm, consistent tension throughout a procedure that may run for an extended period, and instruments described this way are built to withstand that repeated demand across many uses. This retractor is an essential tool for surgeons who require precision in retraction, particularly in general and abdominal surgery where a stable, unobstructed field matters for both speed and safety during the operation.

Surgical assistants and scrub nurses are typically the ones holding a Richardson retractor throughout a procedure.