Surgical Retractors: Popular Products & Evolving Trends

By Sukanya Mukherjee

A surgical retractor helps in holding tissues or organs during a surgical procedure. These retractors enable the surgeons to open up an incision or wound while operating. The equipment provides a clear operating region to the physicians while holding back the edges of the incision. It also makes the organs more accessible and visible. As a result, the operation becomes more efficient and effective.

There is a significant increase in the number of minimally invasive surgeries. These surgeries enable surgeons to confine the number and size of incisions and reduce the risk of tissue and muscle complications. Additionally, these procedures help treat cardiovascular diseases, which, according to the World Health Organization, claimed the lives of approximately 17.9 million people in 2019, representing 32% of all global deaths. Accordingly, as per Inkwood Research, such procedures are anticipated to augment the growth of the global surgical retractors market at a 6.22% CAGR during the estimated period, 2022-2030.

Surgical Retractors: What are the Popular Products?

With various surgical retractors available in the market, the most common ones are handheld and self-retaining retractors. As per our analysis, handheld retractors, which generated $964.02 million in revenue in 2021, are estimated to capture the majority shares of the global surgical retractors market during the estimated years between 2022 and 2030. These retractors are used in cosmetic surgical procedures, which need sharp edges and precision control while avoiding unnecessary scarring.

As per the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, around 2.3 million cosmetic surgeries were performed in 2020 alone. Barsky Nasal Retractor, one of the top-selling rhinoplasty retractors, has an ergonomic handle, finger grip, and a smoothly rounded concave blade. On the other hand, June Medical’s Galaxy II has been stirring the global surgical and medical devices market since its launch in 2021 with its quadruple CAM lock joints that can be used for orthopedic, colorectal, and ENT procedures. The product’s popularity among surgeons has exponentially boosted its sale over the years.

Similarly, Weitlaner and Gelpie Retractors are the most commonly used in plastic surgery, large bone & joint procedures, and retracting bulky tissue. These are also employed in gynecological, urological, and general surgeries to retract internal organs and tissues. These are self-retaining retractors consisting of screws, ratchets, and clamps to hold the tissue by itself. As per our evaluation, with a total market value of $745.90 million in 2021, self-retaining retractors are expected to be the fastest-growing segment by 2030.

Moreover, the North America surgical retractors market in the same segment is anticipated to hold the largest revenue shares of approximately $600 million by the same year. The growth is massively driven by the presence of around 5,905 ambulatory surgical centers and 6,214 hospitals in the United States using self-retaining retractors for various surgical procedures. Besides, the presence of leading market players like Becton, Dickinson and Co, B Braun Co, Medtronic PLC, Teleflex Inc, etc., create a strong competitive landscape for the product in the region.

Surgical Retractors Market: What are the Evolving Trends?

1. Rising Surgical Procedures

Surgical procedures require precision and accuracy. Any negligence can adversely affect the patients. Medical staff, surgeons, and assistants must be trained to handle surgical instruments. Making an incision during surgery is a primary step. As retractors assist in withholding the incision, they are essential during surgical procedures.

As per the 2015 Lancet Commission report, 143 million additional surgical procedures are needed yearly to save lives and prevent disability. As the incidences of traumatic injuries, cancers, cardiovascular disease and other health conditions are rising, healthcare professionals are recommending surgery as an optimal solution for timely and quick recovery.

Surgery is the only way to reduce the risk of death in many life-threatening diseases or conditions. Thus, surgical retractors serve an essential purpose in surgical procedures and are predicted to benefit the global surgical retractors market growth.

1. Growing Geriatric Population

The number of surgeries is expected to accelerate by 2030 with the growing geriatric population as it is significantly more prone to health-related problems and life-threatening diseases, which in most cases require surgical attention to improve. According to a 2019 report of the United Nations on World Population Ageing, it was estimated that in 2019, 703 million people worldwide were 65 or older. Thus, the propelling number of surgeries is expected to increase the demand for surgical retractors, including other instruments. Such developing trends are anticipated to shape the global surgical retractors market growth.

All in All

Surgical retractors have substantial use throughout one’s body: neck, head, arms, torso, legs, tissues, and all the vital organs. Nevertheless, the main goal of surgical retractors is not to reduce the number of assistants in an operation theatre but to provide better safety and exposure for the patient. Therefore, the demand for these versatile medical instruments is expected to surge significantly during the forecast years.