https://www.vetsurgeon.org/f/clinical-questions/24706/abdominal-retractors I recently went on an emergency surgery CPD course where the lecturer was a big fan of abdominal retractors - particularly Balfours. We used them on the cadavars, and I can see the appeal particularly if you are doing the surgery solo with no one toen-USTelligent Community 10https://www.vetsurgeon.org/thread/164189?ContentTypeID=1Fri, 19 Aug 2016 13:21:31 GMT146601cc-3922-4be7-9974-7e1d4e45a66b:d5c588f6-ae0e-4a60-a2de-960d7f87b1eeTim Charlesworth<p>Hi Rebecca, Balfours and Gossets are both very good retractors. I&#39;m afraid that the different manufacturers seem to use different size-guides which can be confusing. I&#39;d start off with a &quot;medium&quot;/&quot;child&quot; Balfour and see how you get on with it. It should fit into your autoclave (Esp as the central spoon comes off). If you think that it&#39;s mainly the large breed dogs that you would need the retractor for then I would for a &quot;large&quot; or &quot;adult&quot; retractor. Have a really good look at the retractor when you first get it. We&#39;ve had to send back quite a few as they are too &quot;slippy&quot; ie there isn&#39;t enough friction to maintain retraction and these ones tend to just &quot;stop&quot; retracting and slide in when you least want them to!&nbsp;</p> <p>Tim</p><div style="clear:both;"></div>https://www.vetsurgeon.org/thread/164052?ContentTypeID=1Tue, 16 Aug 2016 23:52:03 GMT146601cc-3922-4be7-9974-7e1d4e45a66b:d9f64cbf-ab90-4800-8aca-bb6fc4b25473cathal rafferty<p>Have a look at the lonestar type retractors too. These involve skin hooks on thread that clip into a frame. I think vet instrumentation do a version.</p> <p>another pair of hands is always the best i think</p><div style="clear:both;"></div>