Israel rake retractor modification to improve exposure during oropharyngeal surgery on patients with larger body habitus.

PURPOSE: Elective oropharyngeal surgery including tonsillectomy and uvulopalatopharyngoplasty performed for obstructive sleep apnea is increasingly performed on patients of larger body habitus. The use of the Crowe-Davis retractor in such patients may be complicated by a large barrel-chest making it difficult to anchor the retractor to the Mayo stand for suspension limiting oropharyngeal exposure. Here, we present a simple modification using the Israel Retractor to facilitate suspension of the Crowe-Davis mouth gag.

METHODS: Operational instructions were followed for Israel retractor modification in oropharyngeal surgery.

RESULTS: The Crowe-Davis retractor is able to anchor to the Israel retractor, whose prongs articulate on the Mayo Stand for suspension. This extension allows suspension of patients with larger body habitus in oropharyngeal surgery.

CONCLUSIONS: Use of the Israel retractor as an extension of the Crowe-Davis retractor handle provides an easy, quick, safe, and reliable method for placing patients of larger body habitus into suspension.