Retractor/stabilizer and wound exposure device for use with patients having excessive and/or redundant tissue and method of use

An adhesive retractor comprising a unitary, flexible, stretchable, air-permeable fabric layer and a substantially non-stretchable backing layer adhered to the fabric layer by a gel-type adhesive applied to a bottom surface of the fabric layer;

• the fabric layer being a woven, non-woven or spun laced fabric;
• whereby in use the fabric layer is applied by means of the gel adhesive directly to excess or redundant tissue of a patient to maintain the excess or redundant tissue in a retracted position, whereby forces generated by the weight of the excess or redundant tissue are transferred through the gel adhesive to the fabric layer, such that the gel substantially protects the dermis of the patient from sheer forces generated by the weight of the excess or redundant tissue being evenly distributed to the dermis of the patient, the fabric layer being of a size sufficient to retain the excess or redundant tissue away from the incision or other existing wound during healing of the incision or other wound.

A unitary adhesive retractor for supporting excess or redundant tissue of a patient to maintain the excess or redundant tissue away from an incision or other existing wound;

• the retractor defining a top-to-bottom length and a side-to-side width greater than one-half the top-to-bottom length;
• the retractor comprising a stretchable, air-permeable fabric layer adherable directly to the excess or redundant tissue by means of a silicone gel adhesive which coats at least a substantial portion of a bottom surface of said fabric layer;
• whereby, when the retractor is placed in tension due to the weight of the excess or redundant tissue, forces generated by the weight of the excess or redundant tissue are transferred through the gel adhesive to the fabric layer, such that the gel substantially protects the dermis of the patient from sheer forces generated by the weight of the excess or redundant tissue being evenly distributed to the dermis of the patient.