The fixed retractor has long been available, present in every department, though perhaps seen more frequently in the orthopedic operating room than in other surgical disciplines.
The main reason might be that the surgical area in orthopedics is relatively fixed. Unlike general surgery or gynecology, which are located within the abdominal cavity where the large range of the cavity limits the incision size, doctors need to explore other organs to adjust the surgical area, causing the retractor to be moved back and forth accordingly. This is not to say that fixed retractors cannot be used in abdominal surgeries at all, but generally, doctors find it more of a hassle to adjust them back and forth.
The medical students serving as retractors are invaluable free human resources, flexible and responsive to commands, effectively saving time.
