the circumference of the defined cavity 220 alternatively the multiple chambers 230 u2032 can be formed along the length of the defined cavity 220 as shown in fig2 c in addition to increased puncture resistance the curvature of the outer surface 240 of the retractor 200 formed by the multiple chambers 230 230 u2032 provides increased surface area traction with the tissue and muscle at the surgical site this assists in both the retraction of the tissue and muscle by the retractor 200 as well the anchoring or fixation of the retractor 200 at the surgical site additionally this increased surface area spreads the load more evenly on the tissue reducing areas of high pressures in some embodiments the outer surface 240 of the retractor 200 may be textured to further increase traction in some embodiments the inflatable retractor 200 may also have distal protrusions for assisting in the retraction of tissue and minimizing tissue creep in the embodiment of the retractor depicted in fig1 2c the inflatable body is cylindrical in shape and defines a cavity through the body which may provide a passage for accessing the patient thus when deployed in a patient the retractor 100 200 provides an access port from outside of an incision at a proximal end 122 222 of the defined cavity 120 220 to a surgical site at the distal end 124 224 of the defined cavity 120 220 it should be understood.