In orthopedic surgery, what the surgeon can see largely determines the quality of the result. A poorly exposed field makes it difficult to cut a socket, seat an implant, or reduce a fracture accurately. This is why retractors are so important in these surgeries. Among the hand-held bone retractors on an orthopedic tray, few are as versatile as the Darrach retractor. In this guide, we explain what the Darrach retractor is, how its design works, and where it is used.Darrach retractor is a specialized surgical tool that holds vital importance in orthopedic surgeries, especially involving the shoulder. A Darrach retractor, also referred to as an acromial retractor, is made expressly to hold the acromion, a bony protrusion of the shoulder blade that serves as the roof of the shoulder joint, out of the way during surgery so that the surgeon may more easily see and reach the underlying structures.