Surgical Retractor Assembly and Associated Method of Use

A surgical retractor, comprising:

• a base having (I) a body defining a bottom surface and a distal portion, said distal portion defining a distal surface, (iii) a first pair of tabs extending from said body that are spaced apart from each other, and (iv) a second pair of tabs extending from said body that are spaced apart from each other, and
• a handle attached to said base,
• wherein said first pair of tabs and said bottom surface define a first plate space configured to receive a first portion of a bone plate therein, and
• wherein said second pair of tabs and said distal surface define a second plate space configured to receive a second portion of the bone plate therein.

A method of retracting tissue near a bone plate exposed through an incision defined in a body, comprising;

• (a) providing a retractor that has a base which includes (i) a bottom surface, (ii) a distal surface, (iii) a first pair of tabs that are spaced apart from each other, and (iv) a second pair of tabs that are spaced apart from each other, said first pair of tabs and said bottom surface defining a first plate space, said second pair of tabs and said distal surface defining a second plate space;
• (b) positioning said retractor in relation to said bone plate at a first position in which (i) said bone plate is located in said first plate space, and (ii) said bone plate is located outside of said second plate space;
• (c) advancing the retractor in relation to the bone plate along an axis of the bone plate after step (b) from the first position to an intermediate position while the bone plate is located in said first plate space;
• (d) moving the retractor in relation to the bone plate from said intermediate position to a second position in which (i) said bone plate is positioned in said second plate space, and (ii) said bone plate is located outside of said first plate space;
• and
• (e) retracting tissue in relation to an end portion of said bone plate in response to step (d).