Further modified Taylor retractor for spinal surgery

New techniques have minimized the incision length and thus required modifications of surgical instruments. The Taylor retractor is one of these instruments. We therefore designed several modifications of the classical Taylor retractor. The following structural modifications were made on the classical Taylor retractor: First, we provided detachable blades with three different lengths (60, 70, 80 mm). Second, we breached a slit wide enough to let the intervertebral disc rongeurs to nestle down in it. Third, instead of a single sharp tip at the end of the blade, an arched blade that had two smooth tips was designed. Adjustable blades allowed placing the retractor just on the skin without any space between the retractor and skin by sliding the retractor over its blade downwards, thus providing a low-profile surgical retraction. The slit facilitated reaching the other side of the disc by leaning against the retractor. Pressing slightly and lowering the retractor subsided the skin and the paravertebral muscle, consequently facilitated motion of rongeurs and provided better exposure owing to low profile retraction. The arched blade with two tips served better placement with less traumatization at the facet joint. The relevant modifications facilitated the surgical procedure. We believe one retractor with adjustable blades is enough for more comfortable surgery at any depth.