Benefits

Due to the current design of retractors, they end up having bulky blades with bridging structures or rings. All of these structures prevent instruments getting into the wound at the right angle. This can hinder crucial surgical maneuvers and impact clinical outcomes

ReeTrakt’s unique independent retraction parts means the bulk is massively reduced. There are no bridges or rings required. This allows instruments to come in at any angle to ensure correct surgical technique. This can make all the difference in critical procedures.

In surgery, visibility is a constant challenge. In small incisions it becomes increasingly difficult. Old designs of retractors such as self retainers can actually hinder visibility due to their bulk as a % of the wound size. More bulk means less visibility.

ReeTrakt has been designed from the ground up to improve visibility. The combination of an ultra-thin base, low profile tips, body contouring independent bases ensures that ReeTrakt occupies the minimum space in the wound and offers unhindered viewing angles.

One of the big disadvantages of classic retraction design is the hands that hold them. The hands, arm and even body of an assistant can clutter the surgical field making surgery more difficult. In order to see what they are retracting, assistants have to move their head above the wound to look inside (especially with small incisions). This can be a problem for the operator.

A crucial design feature of ReeTrakt is the elimination of the need to be held. The very simple adhesive base, and inherent design eliminates the need to be held. This is crucial in freeing up assistants to ASSIST not perform as human retractors. This vital difference can translate into better surgical technique as a team. It’s not about eliminating assistants - it’s about allowing them to assist.

With current staff pressures in the OR, there are often times when assistants are not available. Even with the use of self retaining retractors, often an extra hand is needed. Many times that comes from the scrub nurse. However, not only does this detract them from their instrument sets, which could cause errors - in many countries nursing staff are NOT qualified to hold retractors and can generate liability if something goes wrong.

Following research into these problems, the ReeTrakt design team wanted to ensure that a major benefit of the product was it’s ability to be used by a single user. This is valuable in cases where assistants are at a premium and in countries where nurses are no longer legally covered to retract. A single user can prep the ReeTrakt, place it and perform the full range of retraction techniques.

As surgery becomes less invasive- so incisions become smaller. Bulky retractors become self defeating by reducing essential visibility and access. Often this means that retractors are repositioned more than they should be. This can waste time and cause tissue damage.

The Ultra low-profile of ReeTrakt offers many advantages. Above all it gives unrivaled visibility and instrument access. Appreciated most in small incisions and in hard to access areas such as between the patient’s legs. It is designed to be discreet yet extremely functional.

Due to old designs and heavy materials such as stainless steel - many retractors are actually unstable. Many self retainers are “top heavy” and it is surprising how often if the patient is repositioned, such as in limb surgery, the retractor almost falls out of the wound. This requires assistants to hold them, or to be sutured or clipped in place.

The self adhesive light weight, thin design creates a different kind of retractor. It is locked to the patient and hence does not move or wobble, or fall - even if a limb is turned at any angle. It just STAYS PUT. There is no need to suture, or clip, or tape or tie ReeTrakt. It is designed to just stay where you put it. Ultra Stable.

Many surgeons and assistants do not appreciate the amount of force a stainless steel retractor can generate on delicate tissues. So much force can be applied that bruising or damage to the tissue can occur. And due to the design of many retractors, that force is applied equally to both parts of the retractor - even if it’s not needed. Add into this that some self retaining retractors actually retract in a V pattern and tissue damage can easily occur.

ReeTrakt is different. The retractors are independent and different forces can be applied to different areas of the wound at the right angles. True perpendicular retraction requires less force than most people realize. The infinitely adjustable velcro strap, as opposed to ratchet, allows for highly controllable retraction force to be applied to that side of the wound. ReeTrakt is design to offer gentle retraction for 21st century surgical procedures.

Stainless steel is cheap, strong, and robust. It can be easily sterilized - but that comes at a price. It is very heavy. In big open abdominal procedures where the retractor can lie on the patient - that may be fine. But for delicate microsurgery - on limbs that weight causes problems of stability. Steel retractors used on any angled surfaces such as for vaginal surgery, head and neck surgery tend to want to fall - and that causes problems.

ReeTrakt is very different. Each retractor weighs a few grams. It is light yet strong. By adhering a light retractor to the patient - the dynamics of retraction changes dramatically. vertical surfaces offer no challenge. Patient's limbs can be freely moved and rotated - with no impact on the retractor- it stays in place. For many people, the first time they try ReeTrakt - this is a big surprise that allows them to do surgery in new ways.

Self retaining retractors are designed to be placed and retract alone. In may cases they do a very good job. But often if the patient moves, sutures or even instruments snag them - they move. It is surprising just how many self retainers require the hand of an assistant to hold them in place. The problem is - the retractor expends valuable retraction force just to keep it in place - often more than was required to simply retract the wound.

ReeTrakt changes the way we think about self retaining retractors. The concept is so different to a traditional self retainer. Being stuck to the patient it just cannot slip. The ability to independently adjust retraction force on each side ensures all edges of the wound have enough force to grip the tissues without creating excessive force on other areas of the wound. And ReeTrakt is not applying any retraction force to stay on the patient. Very different.

Specialist retractors can be complex to assemble with many moving parts, springs, ratchets etc. Often they need dismantling to clean. A common problem is the reassembly of the retractors. This is both time consuming and often frustrating. If done wrong it can cost valuable OR time. Worse is when retractors return from cleaning with parts missing - and cases get delayed. this can cost both time and money.

ReeTrakt is a single use, ready packed sterile device. And it is SIMPLE. Very simple. With only a single strap - no springs, ratchets or components that wear out. It works as designed - every time. Preparation of the product could not be more easy, eliminating frustration and down time. Being single use - it never has parts missing or gets lost at sterile services. this can all translate into savings of time and money