Patent ID: 8298138

Claim:
A method of performing surgery, comprising: providing a first and a second retractor assembly, each retractor assembly including: a pair of elongate members, the elongate members transitionable between a first state in which the elongate members are substantially parallel to one another, and a second state in which the elongate members define a substantially V-shaped configuration; a screw; a coupling region disposed at a distal end of the retractor assembly removably coupling the pair of elongate members to the screw, the coupling region defining a weakened portion expandable radially outward to separate the coupling region from the screw; and inserting the first retractor assembly into a first incision within a first tissue portion; securing the screw of the first retractor assembly to a portion of a first vertebral body; retracting the first tissue portion by transitioning the elongate members of the first retractor assembly from the first state to the second state; inserting the second retractor assembly into a second incision within the second tissue portion; securing the screw of the second retractor assembly to a portion of a second vertebral body; retracting the second tissue portion by transitioning the elongate members of the second retractor assembly from the first state to the second state; securing a rod to the first and second screws; and removing the first and second retractors from the first and second incisions.