Sternum/Rib Retractor Set (Ref. FB852R)

## Overview

The Sternum/Rib Retractor Set (Ref. FB852R) is a self-retaining sternum and rib retractor that spreads and holds apart the sternum or ribs to expose the thoracic cavity during open and minimally invasive approaches. Within the Aesculap catalog it is classified under Self-Retaining Retractors in the Sternum & Rib Retractors group. It is catalogued as a distinct instrument within the Sternum & Rib Retractors group, allowing procurement teams to specify a consistent configuration across orders.

Self-retaining instruments of this kind are valued in the operating room because they hold their position once set, maintaining exposure of the surgical site and reducing the need for a dedicated assistant to provide continuous retraction. This supports a stable, reproducible working field during thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery.

## Design Characteristics

The instrument follows the standard configuration listed for this reference in the catalog; dimensional and pattern attributes beyond those catalogued are not asserted here.

The self-retaining mechanism allows the instrument to lock into an open position, so that once the surgeon has established the required exposure the instrument holds that position independently. This characteristic distinguishes self-retaining retractors from hand-held retractors, which require an assistant to maintain force throughout the procedure.

## Set Composition

This reference is supplied as a set. The catalog lists 22 components for this set: F; B; 8; 5; 3; R; ,; ; F; B; 8; 5; 7; R; ,; ; F; B; 8; 5. Each component is provided as part of the complete supplied unit.

## Technical Specifications

– Instrument Type: Sternum/Rib Retractor

## Applications

Based on its instrument type and catalog classification, the Sternum/Rib Retractor Set (Ref. FB852R) is applicable to thoracic surgery, cardiac surgery, sternotomy and rib exposure. These applications follow directly from the instrument’s design as a sternum/rib retractor; uses beyond those supported by the catalog classification are not claimed.

## Identification and Traceability

This product is identified by catalog reference FB852R and registry identifier REG-BV-000249. It is sourced from Aesculap Surgical Instrument Catalog, page 834, under the Sternum/Rib Retractor section, preserving full traceability from the catalog to the product record.

## Self-Retaining Mechanism and Clinical Rationale

The defining feature of the Sternum/Rib Retractor Set (Ref. FB852R) is its self-retaining action. Once the surgeon establishes the required exposure, the instrument locks into an open position and holds that position on its own for the duration of the step. This has two practical consequences in the operating room. First, it removes the need for a dedicated assistant to apply and sustain retraction force, which can free a pair of hands for other tasks at the table. Second, it delivers a steady, reproducible degree of exposure rather than one that varies with an assistant’s fatigue or position. For sternum & rib retractors, where a consistent working field supports careful dissection and visualization, a self-retaining design is a common choice. The instrument is set, checked, and adjusted as the procedure requires, and released when exposure is no longer needed.

## Applications in Detail

The Sternum/Rib Retractor Set (Ref. FB852R) is applicable to the following, each of which follows directly from its classification as a sternum/rib retractor:
– Thoracic surgery: access to the thoracic cavity during open chest procedures.
– Cardiac surgery: exposure of the mediastinum and cardiac structures during open approaches.
– Sternotomy and rib exposure: spreading and holding the sternum or ribs following the surgical opening of the chest.
These application areas describe where an instrument of this type is used; specific clinical outcomes are not claimed, and any use beyond the catalogued classification is a matter for the operating surgeon’s judgment.

## Handling and Reprocessing Considerations

Instruments in this catalog are reusable surgical instruments. Reusable instruments of this class are typically reprocessed between uses in line with the healthcare facility’s validated cleaning, inspection, and sterilization protocols, and are inspected for correct function of any moving or locking parts before use. Where an instrument incorporates a ratchet, rack, or other self-retaining mechanism, that mechanism is checked to confirm it engages and releases correctly. Specific reprocessing parameters, sterilization methods, and material details are confirmed against the manufacturer’s instructions for use and are not asserted here beyond what the catalog records.

## Ordering Information

The Sternum/Rib Retractor Set (Ref. FB852R) is offered on a request-a-quote basis. Pricing is not published; hospitals, surgical centers, distributors, and procurement teams are invited to send an inquiry for current availability and quotation. Quantities and any accompanying reprocessing or handling requirements can be confirmed at the time of inquiry.