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.
Reusable hand instrument
About the Deaver Retractor
The Deaver retractor is a hand-held retractor with a broad blade curved in a smooth arc, like a question mark. It is used for deep abdominal or chest incisions, where it holds back the wound edge or an organ. Wikipedia credits the American surgeon John Blair Deaver, an innovator in abdominal surgery, with inventing it. It was first mentioned in a 1928 JAMA article.
Surgical-technology teaching material notes it is made in various widths. Catalogues list sets of graded widths, flat, round or hollow handles, paediatric and delicate-blade versions, and insulated or coated versions for use near electrosurgery. Some have a serrated working end or a suction channel.
Width is the main thing to choose, since a wider blade holds back more tissue but needs more room.
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 and deep abdominal surgery
- Retraction of liver, bowel and other organs
- Chest surgery
Variations, sizes & configurations
Jaw, tip & blade configurations
- Serrated
Specifications vary by manufacturer. Confirm exact dimensions and patterns in the manufacturer’s catalogue.
Catalogue specifications (Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments)
- Deaver Retractor, 25 x 300mm, 12 3/4″ without serrated working end
- Deaver Retractor, 20 x 300mm, 12 3/4″ without serrated working end
- Deaver Retractor 25×300 mm, with handle, suction and serrated working end
- Deaver Retractor, 75 x 300mm, 11 3/4″ with serrated working end
- Deaver Retractor, Insulated working end, 19x180mm, 7″
- Deaver Retractor, 50 x 300mm, 11 3/4″ with serrated working end
- AG71626 Deaver Retractor, 38 x 300mm, 11 3/4″ with serrated working end
- Deaver Retractor, 19 x 180mm, 7″ with serrated working end
As published in the brand’s online catalogue. View official product ↗
Catalogue listings from manufacturers
| Brand | Catalogue item | Model no. | Size / length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor Instruments | Deaver Baby Retractor (RI-S-3171) | RI-S-3171 | Official site ↗ | |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | DEAVER Retractor – Fig. 0 | LS06-215 | Fig. 0 | Official site ↗ |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | DEAVER Retractor – Fig. 00 | LS06-214 | Fig. 00 | Official site ↗ |
| Rigor Instruments | Deaver Retractor (RI-S-3162) | RI-S-3162 | Official site ↗ | |
| Rigor Instruments | Deaver Retractor (RI-S-3174) | RI-S-3174 | Official site ↗ | |
| Lenox Surgical Instruments | Deaver Retractor Fig. 000 | LS06-213 | Fig. 000 | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG101526 | 215mm, 8 1/2″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG101626 | 300mm, 11 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG14826 | 12″ · #2, 305mm, 25mm Wide | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG29526 | 300mm, 11 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG33826 | 215mm, 8 1/2″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG35326 | 230mm, 9″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG42326 | 300mm, 11 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG45326 | 330mm, 13″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG46326 | 360mm, 14 1/8″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG48326 | 360mm, 14 1/8″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG60626 | 12 3/4″ · #2, 325mm, 38mm wide | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG71426 | 180mm, 7″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG71626 | 300mm, 11 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG71826 | 300mm, 11 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG71926 | 180mm, 7″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG72026 | 300mm, 11 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG81426 | 300 mm | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG42426 | 300mm, 12 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
| Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (ASSI) | Deaver Retractors | ASSI.AG42526 | 300mm, 12 3/4″ | Official site ↗ |
27 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 Deaver Retractor
What is a Deaver Retractor used for?
Hand-held deep abdominal retractor with a broad, smoothly curved blade, invented by surgeon John Blair Deaver, used to retract organs and deep incisions.
How do Deaver, Richardson and ribbon retractors differ?
These are all hand-held retractors, but they differ in blade shape. Deaver retractors have a smooth, curved blade that is often described as question-mark shaped, generally associated with deep abdominal retraction. Richardson-type retractors have a right-angled blade, typically double-ended or with a hollow handle, associated with retracting the abdominal wall. Ribbon (malleable) retractors are flat strips that can be bent to the shape needed. Each comes in several widths and lengths. See the Deaver and ribbon retractor guides.
Which configurations of the Deaver Retractor are documented?
This guide records these variations, jaw, tip or blade: Serrated. See variations, sizes & configurations for the full list.
Where can I find catalogue listings for the Deaver Retractor?
27 items matching this pattern are listed from manufacturers’ own online catalogues: Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments (19), Rigor Instruments (4), Lenox Surgical Instruments (3) and Sklar Surgical 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 Deaver Retractor?
Companies whose own catalogues list the Deaver Retractor include Accurate Surgical & Scientific Instruments. Check the exact pattern and size with the company.
Which instruments are related to the Deaver Retractor?
Other retractors in this directory include Balfour Abdominal Retractor, Cloward 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 Deaver Retractor this page records Serrated tips.
- 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/deaver-retractors-19/
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/deaver-retractors-18/
- accuratesurgical.com/retractors/deaver-retractors-17/
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Blair_Deaver
- web.archive.org/web/20190916102428/http://library.sccsc.edu/surgtech/retracting2.htm
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retractor_(medicine)
- surgicalholdings.co.uk/general/retractors/deaver-abdominal-retractors.html
- accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00192896122314
- accessgudid.nlm.nih.gov/devices/00192896026032
- sklarcorp.com/p/deaver-4x12/60-3440
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
Balfour Abdominal Retractor
Large self-retaining abdominal retractor with two lateral blades and a central bladder blade, used to hold a laparotomy wound open.
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.
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.