Method of facilitating access to a neonoate through a caesarean incision in the woman's abdomen by opening the incision

A surgical access system adapted to facilitate access to a surgical site through an incision in a patient's body by opening the incision, the system comprising:

• a supporting ring;
• a non-adjustable retractor fixed to the supporting ring comprising an atraumatic lower portion, the non-adjustable retractor configured to cover and hold back a bladder during a procedure;
• an outwardly projecting handle fixed to the supporting ring adjacent the non-adjustable retractor;
• at least one radially adjustable retractor comprising a saddle shape configured to cup and manually retract a section of abdominal tissue at the incision, wherein the radially adjustable retractor comprises an atraumatic lower portion;
• and
• one or more coupling elements positioned on the supporting ring and configured for releasably attaching the radially adjustable retractor to the supporting ring in a tissue-retracting position, wherein the one or more coupling elements are configured to allow for and adjust pitch and/or yaw of the radially adjustable retractor relative to the supporting ring when the radially adjustable retractor is fitted to the ring in a tissue retracting position to thereby facilitate access to the surgical site.