Abstract: An improved visceral retractor is provided for use by a surgeon during closure of a surgical incision or the like. The visceral retractor comprises an elongated, relatively thin sheet of flexible plastic or rubber-based material having a generally fishlike shape to include a generally oval body portion joined by a relatively narrow waist region to a comparatively small tail portion. Either the body portion or the tail portion is insertable through an incision, depending upon the size of the incision, to separate underlying internal organs from overlying tissue thereby preventing the organs from bulging into the incision or from being sutured as the incision is closed. With a relatively large incision, the body portion may be inserted during initial suturing until the incision is closed to a smaller size, whereupon the retractor is reversed and the tail portion is inserted during further suturing.

Abstract: A drain kit is provided for use in draining postoperative accumulations of serous fluid in patients without requiring immobilization of the patient or additional surgery. The kit comprises a catheter for insertion of a flexible cannula into the body region of serous fluid accumulation. The cannula is coupled to one end of a flexible drain tube carrying a piercing element at its opposite end for insertion through the self-sealing cap of a vacuum bottle for continuous drawing of the serous fluid from the patient. The piercing element is carried by a fitting having enlarged folding wings to facilitate insertion of the piercing element by the patient into the vacuum bottle and replacement bottles as needed, and attachment of the piercing element and the vacuum bottle to the patient's body or clothing.