Anderson Claw v2 – 5-Prong Sharp Bear Claw Retractor

The Anderson claw retractor v2 is a hand-held skin retractor with five sharp prongs, designed for precise retraction of skin flaps in plastic, aesthetic and facial surgery. The prongs spread the pulling force across a wider area than a single skin hook, so the surgeon gets steady exposure with less stress on the tissue edge.

What Is an Anderson Claw Retractor?

An Anderson claw retractor, also known as a bear claw retractor, is a non-self-retaining instrument with several small hooked prongs at the working end. The prongs grip the dermis, and the surgeon or assistant holds the handle to lift and pull back the skin. It is widely used in facelift and neck lift procedures, where skin flaps have to be raised and held with control.

You can read more about the different types of surgical retractors on Wikipedia’s retractor overview.

Features of the Anderson Claw v2

• 5 sharp prongs: a firm, even hold on skin flaps without slipping.
• Fan-shaped prong layout: spreads the retraction force across the wound edge.
• Curled finger handle: a comfortable, secure grip that lets the assistant hold steady retraction with less hand fatigue.
• Surgical stainless steel prongs: durable and resistant to corrosion through repeated sterilization cycles.
• Reusable: can be cleaned and autoclaved between procedures.

Why Choose a Five-Prong Design?

A single skin hook concentrates all of the pulling force on one point, which can tear thin skin or leave a mark on the flap edge. With five prongs side by side, the load is shared, the flap stays flatter, and the surgeon gets a wider, more even view of the dissection plane. That is why many plastic surgeons keep an Anderson claw retractor in their standard facelift set alongside single and double skin hooks.

Clinical Uses

This claw retractor is suitable for:

• Facelift (rhytidectomy) and neck lift
• Brow lift and other facial aesthetic surgery
• Raising and holding skin flaps in plastic and reconstructive surgery
• Superficial wound retraction in general surgery

How to Use the Anderson Claw Retractor

1. Inspect: check that all five prongs are straight, sharp and undamaged before use.
2. Position: place the prongs under the edge of the skin flap so they grip the dermis.
3. Retract: hold the curled handle and apply gentle, steady traction to expose the operating field.
4. Release: lift the prongs out carefully to avoid tearing the skin edge.

Cleaning and Sterilization

Rinse the instrument straight after use to stop blood and tissue drying between the prongs. Clean it with a soft brush or an ultrasonic cleaner, rinse, and dry thoroughly. Sterilize it according to your facility’s validated protocol for stainless steel surgical instruments. Protect the sharp tips during storage and transport, and replace the instrument if any prong is bent or blunt.

Why Buy from Surgronic?

Surgronic supplies surgical instruments to clinics, hospitals and plastic surgeons. Every Anderson claw retractor is inspected before shipping, and our team can help you choose the right instruments for your procedures. Browse our full range of plastic surgery instruments to complete your set.

Specifications

• Model: Anderson Claw v2
• Number of prongs: 5
• Prong type: Sharp
• Material: Surgical stainless steel prongs, [confirm handle material]
• Overall length: [confirm, e.g. 12 cm]
• Reusable: Yes
• Supplied: Non-sterile

Anderson Claw Retractor FAQ

Is the Anderson claw the same as a bear claw retractor?

Yes. The two names are used for the same multi-prong skin retractor.

Are the prongs sharp or blunt?

This model has sharp prongs, which give a secure hold on skin flaps.

Can it be autoclaved?

Yes. Clean it thoroughly first, then sterilize it following your facility’s protocol for surgical instruments.

Is it supplied sterile?

No. Clean and sterilize the instrument before its first use.

Important Safety Information

This instrument is intended for use by trained medical professionals only. Handle the sharp prongs with care to avoid needlestick-type injuries, and do not use the instrument if any prong is damaged.