Identify the Rake Retractor.

Identify the Rake Retractor.

• A. Kilner Retractor
• B. Rake Retractor
• C. Austin Retractor
• D. Periosteal Elevator

Answer: (B)

The rake retractor is easy to spot by its row of thin prongs that resemble a small rake. Those teeth grip and hold back soft tissue, giving a clear view of the surgical field, especially in the mouth where cheek or mucosa needs to be kept away from the work area. The other tools don’t have that toothed, rake-like edge: Kilner and Austin retractors use flat blades for broad retraction, while a periosteal elevator is used to lift the periosteum off bone rather than to retract tissue. So the instrument with multiple prongs is the rake retractor.

The rake retractor is easy to spot by its row of thin prongs that resemble a small rake. Those teeth grip and hold back soft tissue, giving a clear view of the surgical field, especially in the mouth where cheek or mucosa needs to be kept away from the work area. The other tools don’t have that toothed, rake-like edge: Kilner and Austin retractors use flat blades for broad retraction, while a periosteal elevator is used to lift the periosteum off bone rather than to retract tissue. So the instrument with multiple prongs is the rake retractor.