Retractor/stabilizer for excessive and/or redundant tissue and method of use

A method for preventing chest wall compression and diaphragm restriction during a surgical procedure, comprising adhering a tension member to the patient;

• the tension member comprising a single sheet of material having a lower surface substantially completely coated with an adhesive which will adhere to the dermis of a patient and a backing layer covering said adhesive;
• said step of adhering the tension member to the patient comprising:
• removing said backing layer from said tension member to expose said adhesive;
• adhering a first portion of the tension member directly to the patient in an area proximate the patient's diaphragm;
• stretching the tension member in a desired direction to place the tension member under tension;
• adhering a second portion of the tension member directly to the patient in an area proximate the patient's xiphoid process and upper chest wall while the tension member is tensioned, said second portion being spaced from said first portion;
• and
• adhering a third portion of the tension member which is remote from the first and second portions directly to the patient in the patient's abdominal region such that the third portion is adhered to redundant and/or excessive tissue of the patient on or about the abdominal region
• whereby the steps of adhering the first, second, and third portions of the tension member directly to the patient results in the area of the tension member between the first, second, and third portions being adhered directly to the patient, such that substantially the entire lower surface of the tension member is adhered directly to the patient, and whereby the excessive or redundant tissue loads against the first and second portions of the tension member thereby placing the tension member in tension.

A method for retracting and stabilizing excessive and/or redundant tissue or for compressing redundant tissue, the method comprising adhering a one-piece retractor-stabilizer to a patient;

• the retractor-stabilizer consisting of a tension member having a lower surface, a backing layer, and an adhesive covering substantially the entire lower surface of the tension member to removably adhere the backing layer to the lower surface of the tension member;
• the retractor-stabilizer defining at least one grasping area and at least one tab associated with the backing layer;
• the method comprising:
• removing said backing layer from said tension member by pulling on said at least one tab to expose said adhesive on the lower surface of the tension member;
• said grasping area being formed such that the backing layer in the grasping area remains with the tension member in the grasping area to define an adhesive free zone of the tension member after the backing layer has been removed from the tension member;
• adhering a first portion of the tension member directly to redundant and/or excessive tissue of the patient;
• and pulling the tension member in the desired direction to place it in tension, and
• adhering a second portion of the tension member directly to at least one anchor point on the patient while the tension member is in tension;
• said second portion being spaced from said first portion and said at least one anchor point being spaced from said redundant and/or excessive tissue;
• whereby the step of adhering the second portion of the tension member directly to the patient results in the area of the tension member between the first portion and the second portion being adhered directly to the patient between the redundant and/or excessive tissue and the anchor point, such that substantially the entire lower surface of the tension member is adhered directly to the patient, and whereby the excessive or redundant tissue pulls against the second portion of the tension member thereby placing the tension member in tension.