Patent ID: 8734517

Claim:
A method of performing at least one surgical procedure comprising: preparing a patient for a first surgical procedure; making a first incision through the skin of the patient in accordance with the first surgical procedure; exposing a target area for the first surgical procedure through the first incision; performing a step of the first surgical procedure on the target area for the first surgical procedure; placing a protective pad with a fluid pocket between a vulnerable anatomical part and the target area for the first surgical procedure; closing the first incision in accordance with the first surgical procedure with the protective pad between the vulnerable anatomical part and the target area preparing the patient for a second surgical procedure; making a second incision through the skin of the patient in accordance with the second surgical procedure; making an incision in the protective pad; exposing a target area for the second surgical procedure through the incision in the protective pad; and performing a step of the second surgical procedure on the target area for the second surgical procedure, wherein making an incision in the protective pad comprises: locating an area of an overlying portion of the protective pad that is adjacent to a blood vessel of the patient; incising the area of the overlying portion of the protective pad adjacent to the blood vessel; and retracting the overlying portion to expose a base portion of the protective pad.