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Surgical retractors designed to temporarily separate and hold back a pelvic organ and/or the edges of a pelvic or perineal incision, exposing and providing access to other (e.g., rectum, vagina, prostate) organs and/or structures. These retractors typically consist of sturdy, handheld manual instruments with a double-angled shaft ended in a rounded blade at the distal end and an integral heavy tubular handle at the proximal end. Pelvic organ retractors are used in hysterectomy, prostatectomy, and other open surgery procedures performed inside the pelvis; dedicated rectum, vagina, and prostate retractors are also available.
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