Adequate protection of the lips and cheeks is essential in the treatment of malignancy in the mouth with a cautery. Protection is especially needed when heat is applied for a long time. The water-cooled retractor herein illustrated fulfils requirements, at the same time giving good exposure in the cauterization of growths on the alveolar margin.
The portion of the retractor coming in contact with lips and cheek consists of two layers of metal with a space between for the passage of water. The water passes in and out at the distal end of the handle of the retractor.
Soldering irons or an electric cautery may be used with this retractor, thus eliminating the necessity of a water-cooled jacket on the cautery handle. In this way a better view is obtained of the growth and the point of the cautery.
A wooden spatula is also used to protect the tongue in