SURGICAL ACCESS SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USING THE SAME

摘要

A surgical access system includes retractor (10) for creating an access path between an incision site (14) and a surgical site (12). The retractor (10) includes a frame (18) having a base member (20) and a pair of generally curved rails (24) extending therefrom. A tubular member (90) is coupled to the frame (18) and includes first and second blade portions (92, 94) that are capable of relative movement with respect to each other by movement on the curved rails (24). A method of inserting the retractor (10) into a patient (16) includes inserting a guide rod (156) over a guide wire (154), locating an obturator (168) in the retractor (10), inserting the obturator (168) and retractor (10) over the guide rod (156), and removing both the guide rod (156) and obturator (168) to leave the retractor (10) in the body to provide the access path.