Patent ID: 8182519

Claim:
A method for performing surgery, comprising: providing a pedicle screw apparatus including a pedicle screw assembly having a first end portion of a pedicle screw extender attached thereto in a manner providing for simultaneous transfer of rotational torque applied thereto to a screw portion of the pedicle screw assembly and for maintaining a longitudinal axis of a fixation rod receiving body of the pedicle screw assembly in substantially coincidental alignment with a longitudinal axis of the screw portion; anchoring the pedicle screw assembly to a bony structure of a patient, wherein said anchoring includes using the pedicle screw extender to apply rotational torque to the screw portion of the pedicle screw assembly; engaging a blade body with the pedicle screw extender in a manner allowing the blade body to be moved along the pedicle screw extender from a second end portion thereof toward the first end portion thereof after the pedicle screw assembly is anchored within the bony structure and while the pedicle screw extender is engaged with the pedicle screw assembly; moving the blade body from adjacent the second end portion of the pedicle screw extender toward the first end portion thereof for positioning a first end portion of the blade body within tissue of the patient; and engaging a retractor attachment structure at the second end portion of the blade body with a blade body mounting structure of a retractor after performing said moving; wherein the blade body has a blade body surround attached thereto when said engaging of the blade body is performed; wherein the blade body surround has a first end portion, a second end portion, an interior surface and an exterior surface; wherein the blade surround includes a slot extending through the first end portion thereof; wherein the blade body surround and the blade body jointly form a generally cylindrical-shaped structure when the blade body is in a seated position within the slot of the blade body surround; wherein the cylindrical structure defines a central passage thereof extending between said first and second end portions of blade body surround; and wherein the pedicle screw extender extends through the central passage of said cylindrical-shaped structure.