a. Procedure by Surgeon

The internal oblique and transverse muscles are split parallel to the fibers up to the rectus sheath with a scalpel or scissors. These muscles are then retracted.

Abdominal muscles are split in this procedure. Where possible, the surgeon prefers to avoid interfering with muscular blood supply and nerve functions by making a “muscle-splitting” incision or retracting the entire muscle. With retraction of muscle fibers, the posterior (interior) fascia layer is exposed.

b. Items Supplied by Scrub

• Curved Mayo scissors
• Crile hemostats
• Richardson retractors
• Deep knife (#3 handle with #10 blade)