Surgical retrieval apparatus

1. A method of retrieving a tissue specimen comprising:

inserting a surgical retrieval apparatus through an opening in a patient's skin, the surgical retrieval apparatus including: a support member, and a retrieval bag extending from the support member and having an opening to receive the tissue specimen;

placing a net over the tissue specimen;

introducing the net into the retrieval bag, wherein the net is positioned on a shaft of a first grasper; and

removing the net and retrieval bag from the patient's body to remove the tissue specimen.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising advancing a second grasper into the retrieval bag.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein advancing the second grasper comprises advancing the second grasper through a second opening in the patient's skin.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising grasping the net with the second grasper to place the net over the tissue specimen.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the retrieval bag is positioned within a body cavity with the opening of the bag facing transversely with respect to an incision on the patient.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the second grasper is inserted through the transversely positioned opening of the bag.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the net has a diameter less than a diameter of the tissue specimen to grip the tissue specimen and maintain its position during removal.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the retrieval bag is inserted in a collapsed position contained within a delivery tube.

9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising withdrawing the first grasper prior to withdrawing the net from the incision.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a proximal force on the net to further apply a compressive force on the tissue specimen.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein inserting the surgical retrieval apparatus includes inserting the surgical retrieval apparatus into a thoracic cavity.

12. A method of retrieving a tissue specimen comprising:

inserting a surgical retrieval apparatus through an opening in a patient's skin, the surgical retrieval apparatus including: a support member, and a retrieval bag extending from the support member and having an opening to receive the tissue specimen;

unrolling a net from a shaft of a first grasper;

introducing the net into the retrieval bag;

placing the net over the tissue specimen after the net is introduced into the retrieval bag; and

removing the net and retrieval bag from the opening in the patient's skin to remove the tissue specimen.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the net is unrolled by a second grasper.

14. A method of retrieving a tissue specimen comprising:

inserting a surgical retrieval apparatus through an opening in a patient's skin, the surgical retrieval apparatus including: a support member, and a retrieval bag extending from the support member and having an opening extending along its length to receive the tissue specimen, the opening of the retrieval bag extending from a position external of the opening through the skin to a position internal of the opening;

placing a net over the tissue specimen; and

removing the net and retrieval bag from the opening in the patient's skin to remove the tissue specimen.

15. A method of retrieving a tissue specimen comprising:

inserting a surgical retrieval apparatus through an opening in a patient's skin, the surgical retrieval apparatus including: a support member, and a retrieval bag extending from the support member and having an opening to receive the tissue specimen;

placing a net over the tissue specimen;

introducing the net at least partially into the retrieval bag, wherein the net is positioned on a shaft of a first grasper; and

removing the net and retrieval bag from the opening in the patient's skin to remove the tissue specimen.

16. A method of retrieving a tissue specimen comprising:

inserting a surgical retrieval apparatus through an opening in a patient's skin, the surgical retrieval apparatus including: a support member, and a retrieval bag extending from the support member and having an opening to receive the tissue specimen;

unrolling a net from a shaft of a first grasper;

introducing the net at least partially into the retrieval bag;

placing the net over the tissue specimen after the net is introduced into the retrieval bag; and removing the net and retrieval bag from the opening in the patient's skin to remove the tissue specimen.