A method of performing a surgical procedure on an affected region in a body cavity includes steps of introducing the distal end, and first and second bendable joints, of a rod-shaped member into the body cavity having the affected region, engaging a body portion in the body cavity, other than the affected region, with the manipulating element, manipulating the body portion other than the affected region using the manipulating element, so as to increase a spacing around the affected region in the body cavity, and bending at least one of said first and second joints so as to increase a spacing between the rod-shaped member and the affected region in the body cavity.
