Surgical Retractors Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (Handheld, Self-retaining), By Product (Abdominal Retractor, Finger retractor) By Application (Neurosurgery, Ob/Gyn), By End-use), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The global surgical retractors market size was valued at USD 1.7 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from 2023 to 2030. A steep rise in procedural volume with the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, advancement in surgical technology, increasing adoption of minimally invasive surgeries, growing geriatric population, and high R&D focus by major market players are some factors driving the market.

According to the World Federation of Neurology, 12.0% of the total neurology patients succumb to these conditions each year, and according to Medico Experts, 22.6 million people suffer from neurological injuries, of which 13.8 million require surgery. In addition, according to the WHO, the number of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) lost due to neurological diseases are anticipated to increase from 95 million in 2015 to 103 million in 2030 across the globe. Surgical procedures are one of the major treatment options for neurological problems. An increasing number of neurological surgeries and the high demand for surgical retractors specially designed for these procedures are expected to drive the market.

Moreover, the increasing awareness regarding women's health and the consequent increase in check-ups and diagnoses are expected to increase the number of surgeries performed and drive the demand for surgical retractors. According to an article published by the World Health Organization in June 2023, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately 8 to 13% of women of reproductive age worldwide, whereas 70% remain undiagnosed.

Delayed or canceled electric surgeries during the COVID-19 pandemic and strict guidelines for life-saving surgeries significantly reduced the demand for surgical retractors. Patient footfall for non-COVID-19 conditions showed a steep decline because of the risks of infections. The surgeries also included transplantation procedures that mandatorily involve the usage of surgical retractors. The number of transplantation procedures fell to around 50% during the first wave of COVID-19. 

According to the WHO, 17.9 million people die of cardiovascular disorders yearly. Coronary artery bypass graft surgery is a common treatment for blocked coronary arteries. B. Braun and Medtronic plc. offer a wide range of surgical tools required in all types of cardiovascular surgery. According to CDC (2017), in the U.S., 15% of the population suffers from chronic kidney disease. Therefore, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases is expected to drive the need for surgical treatment, which is expected to boost the demand for surgical retractors.

Several manufacturers focus on developing technologically advanced surgical retractors to maintain a strong market presence. For instance, in 2019, Thompson Surgical developed a table-mounted hip retraction system. It uses flexible tethers to secure retractor blades in place and decreases the staff needed to hold the retractor. Also, in October 2020, June Medical announced a product launch under the Galaxy II surgical retractor series specifically designed for the male anatomy. It comes with an innovative penile hammock that can lower the need for sharp hook penetration, improve recovery, and reduce infection risk. In April 2022, Cureus developed low-cost three-dimensional printed retractors. The retractor was developed to comfort the surgeons and felicitate pedicle screw insertion in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Type Insights

The handheld retractors segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022. Handheld retractors primarily assist in maintaining the desired position of a given tissue area. It requires the assistance of a surgeon or other medical professional to hold the tissue during the procedure, thus, restricting the surgeon’s free usage of hands. Various types of retractors are available based on the surgical procedure being performed. Some common retractors are rectal, finger, nerve, abdominal, orthopedic, thoracic, and ribbon retractors. In June 2021, Ethicon launched an advanced bipolar energy device, ENSEAL X1 Curved Jaw Tissue Sealer, that offers more robust sealing. This device is used in bariatric, gynecological, colorectal, and thoracic procedures.

Self-retaining surgical retractors are expected to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period, owing to their ease of use. These retractors do not require assistance to hold them in place, which permits surgery to be conducted without second assistance, thus, allowing less crowding. Various advantages, such as decreased infection risk, adequate surgical site exposure, and low assistance requirement during the process, are expected to contribute to segment growth.

Product Insights

The orthopedic retractors dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022. Orthopedic retractors protect the surgical incision and gain access to surgical sites during various surgeries by handling arteries, veins, tendons, and other tissues covering the site. Alexis orthopedic protector/retractor by Applied Medical Resources helps protect fat, muscles, skin, and nerves from contact with sharp devices used during wound surgeries. Similarly, the hip tether system by Thompson Surgical is used by orthopedic surgeons during hip replacement. In June 2023, Thompson Retractor announced the launch of its PectusAssist System, which is a stable 2-in-1 device that offers assistance in both Pectus Excavatum and Pectus Carinatum procedures.

The abdominal retractor segment is expected to grow fastest over the forecast period. Different abdominal retractors are used for various applications for enhanced surgical procedures. For instance, an Army-Navy handheld retractor is used to retract superficial incisions during abdominal operations. Market players such as Medtronic, Medline Industries, and Thompson Surgical offer abdominal retractors for efficient surgical procedures. Thompson General/Vascular System by Thomson Surgical offers options in abdominal blades for general abdominal and vascular procedures. In September 2021, JUNE Medical launched a new frame surgical retractor that can be adjusted to fit any place and shape.

Thoracic retractors are used in surgeries such as thoracotomy and sternotomy to provide visualization access to the surgical site. Around 2 million open thoracic surgeries are performed worldwide yearly, increasing the demand for thoracic retractors. Apart from thoracic surgeries, these retractors are used for various other applications, such as cardiovascular surgery. Surtex Mercedes Thoracic Retractor by Surtex Instruments is used for retracting the thorax during mid-sternotomy, cardiovascular surgeries, and emergency procedures to gain access to internal organs for efficient surgeries.

Application Insights

The Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn) segment dominated the surgical retractors market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 26.3% in 2022. Some of the common surgical procedures involving female reproductive organs include cervical cerclage and episiotomy. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries can lead to fewer problems, such as postoperative pain, thus, resulting in shorter hospital stays.

The neurosurgery segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 5.8% over the forecast period. The growing number of orthopedic patients is expected to boost segment growth. As per Gelenk Klinik orthopedic hospital, more than 24,000 patients are treated yearly. In addition, 2,400 surgical procedures are performed every year. This growing number of orthopedic surgical procedures is expected to drive the need for orthopedic retractors.

End-use Insights

The hospital’s segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022. The growth is owing to a large number of cases and preventive surgeries being performed in these end use settings. According to CDC, 125.7 million outpatient department visits were recorded in the U.S. An increase in surgical procedures, such as angioplasty and kidney and liver transplants, and the growing incidence of trauma, has led to the increased demand for surgical equipment from hospitals.

Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASCs) are anticipated to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to lower out-of-pocket costs, better patient accessibility, and decreased facility costs. In November 2022, AEW Capital Management and Flagship Healthcare Trust acquired eight ambulatory surgery centers in a joint venture.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 30.3% in 2022. This growth can mainly be attributed to the increasing number of preventive surgeries and the growing burden of chronic disorders, such as cancer, diabetes, and autoimmune diseases, increasing adoption of technologically advanced devices, and rising preference for minimally invasive surgical procedures. In November 2021, Texas (U.S.) acquired a U.S.-based outpatient surgical center (SCD) to acquire joint tenancy in 92 ambulatory surgery centers.

Europe accounted for the second-largest market share of 27.8% in 2022. The region is anticipated to show a lucrative growth rate during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to various factors such as the rising prevalence of chronic disorders, high adoption of advanced technologies, a large geriatric population, increasing reimbursement for surgical procedures, and growing demand for minimally invasive procedures over traditional methods.

Furthermore, the presence of stainless-steel retractor manufacturers in Germany is also expected to fuel market growth. For instance, MPM Medical Supply is a global medical distributor that operates completely from Germany and has been offering high-quality stainless-steel retractors manufactured in the country across the globe since the 1600s.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.6% over the forecast period from 2023 to 2030. The growth can be attributed to factors such as the rise in healthcare expenditure, the increase in the population needing surgical procedures, and chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. The growing adoption of minimally invasive surgery drives the market's growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market has the presence of some major players engaged in the manufacturing of surgical retractors. Availability of raw materials and advanced manufacturing technology are some of the major factors deciding final product prices. Product differentiation and price are two major factors deciding the purchase decisions in developing countries where private companies mostly provide reimbursements and insurance. Strategic partnerships with local distributors and region-based product variations are some of the initiatives adopted by global players.

In March 2021, Ascension, the largest Catholic health and non-profit system at a national level, collaborated with Regent Surgical Health to serve and provide patients with easy access to high-quality outpatient services. In June 2020, JUNE MEDICAL’S collaborated with Vivo Surgical to launch the Galaxy ll LUX, a self-retaining ring retractor with Vivo Surgical’s KLARO light. The retractor is expected to provide surgeons with improved access to surgical sites.

New market players are entering the market with organ-specific customized retractors. Integrating existing designs with advanced technology is expected to help replace traditional retractors. The lighted retractor is among the latest examples of such integration and is expected to create significant space during the upcoming years. The following are some of the major participants in the global surgical retractors market:

• Medtronic

• Becton, Dickinson, and Company (BD)

• Medical Devices Business Services, Inc.

• Teleflex Incorporated

• Medline Industries, Inc.

• B. Braun Melsungen AG

• Applied Medical Resources Corporation

• Thompson Surgical

• Innomed, Inc.

• LiNA Medical ApS

• Vivo Surgical Private Limited

• BVI

• CooperSurgical Inc.

• Stryker

• Terumo Corporation

• June Medical Group

• Mediflex Surgical Products

• Chamfond Biotech Co., Ltd

• Applied Medical Technology, Inc. (AMT)

• Microcure (Suzhou) Medical Technology Co., Ltd.

• Changzhou Haiers Medical Devices Co., Ltd

• Boston Scientific Corporation

• Coloplast

Surgical Retractors Market Report Scope

Global Surgical Retractors Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global surgical retractorsmarket based on type, product, application, end use, and region:

• Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Handheld

  • Self-retaining

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Abdominal retractor

  • Finger retractor

  • Nerve retractor

  • Orthopedic retractor

  • Rectal retractor

  • Thoracic retractor

  • Ribbon retractor

  • Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue in USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Neurosurgery

  • Wound closure

  • Reconstructive surgery

  • Cardiovascular

  • Orthopedic

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob/Gyn)

  • Others

• End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Hospitals

  • Ambulatory surgical centers

  • Clinics

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • UK

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

    • Denmark

    • Sweden

    • Norway

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

    • Australia

    • Thailand

    • South Korea

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia

    • UAE

    • Kuwait