Adas Instruments manufactures self retaining retractors from high quality medical grade stainless steel. Weitlaner, Gelpi, Plester, Jansen and West patterns, with blunt or sharp prongs, all with locking ratchets that hold exposure without an assistant. Every instrument carries a three year replacement warranty against manufacturing defects.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Weitlaner and a Gelpi retractor?
Both are ratcheted self retaining retractors. The Weitlaner has multi pronged rake ends that spread the wound edges over a broad area, making it the general purpose choice for superficial exposure. The Gelpi has single sharp points that anchor deep in tissue, giving narrow, deep exposure for spine, ear and small incision work. Most surgical trays carry both.
Is the Weitlaner the same as a wheatlander retractor?
Yes. The Weitlaner retractor is often written phonetically as “wheatlander retractor” in searches, and both names refer to the same instrument.
Related categories
These categories link back to this one, so the pair works in both directions.
- Hooks and retractors, for the handheld patterns an assistant holds.
- Hemostats and grasping forceps, for the clamping instruments used in the field these open.
- Plastic surgery instruments, the parent category this one sits under.

