What is the primary purpose of a retractor in surgical procedures?

The primary purpose of a retractor in surgical procedures is to hold back tissue. Retractors are essential surgical instruments that allow surgeons to maintain visibility and access to the surgical site by keeping the surrounding tissues, such as skin, muscle, and organs, away from the area being operated on. This is crucial for ensuring that the surgeon has a clear view of the tissues and structures they need to work on and helps to minimize any potential trauma to adjacent areas.

By retracting the tissues, these instruments facilitate a more efficient and safer surgical process, enabling surgeons to perform procedures with greater precision. Retraction can be achieved with both handheld and self-retaining retractors, depending on the needs of the surgery. Other options mentioned, such as cutting tissue or suturing wounds, refer to different functions of surgical tools like scalpels and needles, while delivering anesthesia involves different instruments and techniques unrelated to tissue manipulation.