Expanders For Rod Retraction

An expander for use in forming a surgical portal comprising:

• a first member;
• and
• a second member slidably attached to the first member,
• wherein the second member is slidable with respect to the first member to change a cross-section of a portion of the expander,
• wherein the second member forms part of an outer surface of the expander, and
• wherein the expander has a maximum cross-section that includes both the first member and the second member.

An expander extending from a trailing end to a leading end and for use in providing surgical access, the expander comprising:

• a first member;
• and
• a second member attached to the first member, the second member being translatable relative to the first member such that translation of the second member relative to the first member causes a change in a cross-section of the expander over at least part of the expander,
• wherein the second member is translatable to a first position relative to the first member so that at least part of the trailing end of the expander includes the second member.

An expander for providing surgical access comprising:

• a first member with a first surface;
• and
• a second member slidably attached to the first member, the second member having a second surface flush with the first surface over at least part of a length of the second member,
• wherein the second member is slidable with respect to the first member to change a cross-section of a portion of the expander.