Balfour Abdominal Retractor
Also known as: Balfour Retractor, Balfour Self-Retaining Retractor
Large self-retaining abdominal retractor with two lateral blades and a central bladder blade, used to hold a laparotomy wound open.
Reusable hand instrument
About the Balfour Abdominal Retractor
The Balfour retractor is a self-retaining abdominal retractor. A frame with two side blades sits in the wound and is spread and locked, holding the abdominal wall apart. A separate central blade, often called the bladder blade, mounts on the frame to hold back the lower end of the wound.
It is used to retract the abdominal wall and viscera to give exposure during a laparotomy, and Wikipedia notes it is typically used in lower abdominal and pelvic surgery. Surgical-technology teaching material describes the Balfour with bladder blade as a retractor for deep abdominal procedures.
Catalogues list paediatric ("baby") to large-spread frames, single- and double-bar frames, fenestrated or solid side blades, and interchangeable centre blades in several sizes. The name is linked to Mayo Clinic surgeon Donald Church Balfour, who designed abdominal retractors among other instruments.
Product reference: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments — official product page. The listed company is shown as a source; check the catalogue for its role as manufacturer or supplier.
Common uses
- Laparotomy
- Lower abdominal and pelvic surgery
- Open gynaecological and colorectal surgery
Variations, sizes & configurations
Shapes
- Curved
Specifications vary by manufacturer. Confirm exact dimensions and patterns in the manufacturer’s catalogue.
Catalogue specifications (Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments)
- Balfour Abdominal Retractor, 250mm spread with 2 interchangeable lateral blades, 45 x 80mm center blade
- Balfour Retractor, 180mm spread 2 blades 63 X 35mm, center blade 45 X 80mm
- Balfour Center Blade for Balfour retractor 70 X 85mm
- Balfour Center Blade for Balfour retractor, 45 X 80mm
- Balfour Center Blade for Balfour retractor, 100 X 70mm
- Balfour Baby Retractor, 90mm spread, 2 blades 27 X 27mm, 24 X 20mm center blade
- Balfour Retractor, 200mm spread, 2 blades 100 x 35mm, 70 x 85mm center blade
As published in the brand’s online catalogue. View official product ↗
Catalogue listings from manufacturers
| Brand | Catalogue item | Model no. | Size / length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio Medical Instruments | Abdominal Retractor (According to Balfour-Baby) | BMI-1225 | Official site ↗ | |
| Bio Medical Instruments | Abdominal Retractor (According to Balfour, Full Blades) | BMI-1224 | Official site ↗ | |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG87926 | 200mm, 85mm · 35mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG88926 | 90mm · 27mm, 20mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG96426 | 70mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG96626 | 80mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG96826 | 85mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG97526 | 180mm, 80mm · 35mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | ASSI.AG98326 | 250mm, 80mm · lateral blades | Official site ↗ |
| Rigor Instruments | Balfour Abdominal Retractors | Official site ↗ | ||
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Balfour Abdominal Retractor | 60-6670 | 2 fenestrated blades | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Balfour Abdominal Retractor | 60-6710 | 2 fenestrated blades | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Balfour Abdominal Retractor | 60-6870 | 2 solid blades | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Balfour Abdominal Retractor | 60-7070 | 2 fenestrated blades | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Balfour Abdominal Retractor | 60-7110 | 2 fenestrated blades | Official site ↗ |
| Sklar Surgical Instruments | Sklar® Balfour Abdominal Retractor | 60-7113 | 2 prong fenestrated blades | Official site ↗ |
16 items listed in manufacturers’ own online catalogues, with sizes and model numbers as published. Check the exact item on the manufacturer’s page before ordering.
Companies offering this instrument
Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments
Westbury, United States
New York supplier of surgical instruments for many specialties, with offices on both US coasts.
Shown only where the company’s own catalogue or website lists this instrument.
Further reading
- How to Read a Surgical Instrument CataloguePatterns, lengths, tips, locks, materials and finishes: the catalogue terms buyers need to compare instrument offers like for…
- Stainless Steel Grades and Finishes for Surgical InstrumentsMartensitic vs austenitic steel, ISO 7153-1 and ASTM F899, tungsten carbide inserts, titanium, and satin vs mirror finishes…
- How Surgical Instruments Are Made: From Forging to PassivationA step-by-step look at how reusable surgical instruments are made: steel choice, forging, machining, heat treatment, grinding, polishing…
Questions about the Balfour Abdominal Retractor
What is a Balfour Abdominal Retractor used for?
Large self-retaining abdominal retractor with two lateral blades and a central bladder blade, used to hold a laparotomy wound open.
What other names is the Balfour Abdominal Retractor known by?
The Balfour Abdominal Retractor is also known as Balfour Retractor, Balfour Self-Retaining Retractor.
Which configurations of the Balfour Abdominal Retractor are documented?
This guide records these variations, shapes: Curved. See variations, sizes & configurations for the full list.
Where can I find catalogue listings for the Balfour Abdominal Retractor?
16 items matching this pattern are listed from manufacturers’ own online catalogues: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (7), Sklar Surgical Instruments (6), Bio Medical Instruments (2) and Rigor Instruments (1). The catalogue table gives each model number and size as published, with a link to the official product page.
Which companies offer the Balfour Abdominal Retractor?
Companies whose own catalogues list the Balfour Abdominal Retractor include Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments. Check the exact pattern and size with the company.
Which instruments are related to the Balfour Abdominal Retractor?
Other retractors in this directory include Cloward Retractor, Deaver Retractor, Kocher Retractor and Ribbon Retractor. See all retractors.
What should I check when sourcing retractors?
- Pattern and size: compare the blade or prong size and depth and the handle style with the supplier’s catalogue drawing or a sample. For the Balfour Abdominal Retractor this page records Curved shapes.
- Material: confirm the exact steel grade or alloy in the supplier’s documentation, such as the material specification or certificate.
- Finish and any coating, as stated by the supplier.
- Regulatory marking or registration required in your target market (see medical device certifications).
- Reprocessing: the cleaning, disinfection and sterilisation instructions in the manufacturer’s instructions for use (IFU).
Sources
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/balfour-abdominal-retractors-ag98326/
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/balfour-abdominal-retractors-9/
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/balfour-abdominal-retractors-8/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retractor_(medicine)
- web.archive.org/web/20190914062853/http://library.sccsc.edu/surgtech/retracting3.htm
- itemscatalogue.redcross.int/health--3/surgical-instruments--24/surgical-instruments--111/retractor-abdominal-self-retaining-balfour--XSINMEDI2470.aspx
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Balfour
- journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Citation/1999/11000/The_Balfour_Retractor__Donald_Church_Balfour.10.aspx
- accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00192896071940
- accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00190776041854
- surgicalholdings.co.uk/general/retractors/balfour-abdominal-retractor.html
Last checked 29 Oct 2026. Information is general reference, not clinical guidance.
Suggest a correction if any detail on this page is wrong.
Related instruments
Cloward Retractor
Self-retaining cervical spine retractor (Cloward type) with a frame and interchangeable blade pairs, used to hold tissue apart during anterior neck surgery.
Deaver Retractor
Hand-held deep abdominal retractor with a broad, smoothly curved blade, invented by surgeon John Blair Deaver, used to retract organs and deep incisions.
Kocher Retractor
Hand-held retractor of the Kocher pattern, made with a blunt blade or with sharp hooks, used to hold back tissue during open surgery.
Ribbon Retractor
Flat, malleable strip retractor that can be bent to the shape needed, used to hold back organs and tissue in deep surgical wounds.