Its Not Just For Bankarts Anymore

Introduced to the U.S. in the late '80's, the Kölbel Self-Retaining Retractor became an instant success. Its free-rotating, interchangeable blades helped make it the centerpiece of many Bankart sets.

There was a time when the advent of arthroscopic suture anchors seemed to sound the death knell for traditional open Bankart repairs; yet the Kölbel remains as popular as ever. Its simple, effective design is well suited for most shoulder work including modified Bankart repairs using anchors, rotator cuff reconstruction, total shoulder implants, and MDI corrections.

Innovation followed popularity. Refinements in form and function make this retractor even more attractive. Ball-snap retaining features have replaced bayonet fittings and recently introduced additional blade options bring even greater versatility to this comely device. Quick, familiar and convenient in operation, the eight inch long ring handle frame articulates on a single pivot and is held open with a finger operated ratchet lever.

Kölbel blades are distinguished by their peristeronic countenance that provides a gentle uplift to the soft tissue and muscle it spreads. Ballooning blades extend a full 20 mm from the central axis of their hub before beginning the return sweep to their axis of origin. Excellent visualization and secure retention of the retractor in the wound are assured while pairing blades of differing lengths can often more effectively retract shoulder musculature.

A circumferential groove halfway up the hub mates with the ball fitting imbedded in the retractor frame. Blades swivel freely, allowing better adjustment to the shape of the wound and more equitable distribution of distracting forces. Engaged in the frame, the blade hubs pass through the arms and sit slightly proud. Non-obtrusive, they snare neither gloves nor sutures, yet simple thumb pressure to the top of the hub quickly disengages the ball-lock mechanism. Blades were first supplied in 36 mm and 53 mm lengths. A 68 mm length was subsequently introduced ultimately followed by blades extending 86 mm for large and muscular patients.

Some surgeons found instances where the original 36 mm wide blades were a little too broad to be inserted into the wound during early stages of Bankart repairs and rotator cuff reconstructions. Buxton now offers the same three lengths in narrower, 20 mm widths.

The Shoulder, Volume 1, Number 1