SURGICAL ACCESS SYSTEM AND RELATED METHODS

The present invention provides a retractor assembly for creating an operative corridor to a spinal surgical target site. The retractor assembly includes a retractable body and a plurality of retractor blades extending generally perpendicularly to the retractor body. The retractor body is operable to separate the plurality retractor blades relative to each other to retract tissue away from the interior of the retractor blades when the retractor assembly is advanced to the surgical target site and the retractor blades are separated to thereby form an operative corridor to the surgical target site. The retractor assembly may also include a supplemental retractor blade assembly attachable to at least two of the plurality of retractor blades, the supplemental retractor blade assembly comprising an elongated supplemental retractor blade and a crossbar connector, the crossbar connector configured to be attached to said at least two retractor blades while engaging the supplemental retractor blade. The retractor body may also operable to splay at least one of the plurality of retractor blades such that a distal end of the retractor blade extends wider than a proximal end of the retractor blade, wherein splaying of the at least one retractor blade is controlled by a gear situated on the retractor body.