Redesign of a retractor used in cleft palate surgery

Cleft palate is a birth defect in which the failure of fusion of the palatal shelves leaves a defect in the roof of the mouth. The exposure for surgical correction of the defect is enhanced with a mouth gag, or retractor, to prop open the patient´s mouth. Current mouth gag design can be improved for better adjustability. The proposed redesign corrects many limitations by adding interchangeable parts and more secure components.