A
retractor for use in surgical operations comprises a pair of blade assemblies which are adapted to open about a set of axes that are not parallel to a third spatial axis. The
retractor further comprises a pair of arms, which are adapted to move the pair of blade assemblies apart from one another in the third spatial axis. In operation, the blade assemblies are closed to assume a low profile, inserted into a relatively
small incision, and stretched apart from each other, thereby stretching the
skin about the incision to form an aperture longer than the incision. The blade assemblies are then opened by rotating the blades about the set of axes, thereby stretching the
skin around the incision in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction (i.e. the direction of the incision.) The
retractor thus forms an aperture for passage of surgical instruments and viewing of the surgical field by surgical personnel. In some embodiments, the retractor features a pair of removable handles that may be removed from the arms during
surgery in order to afford the surgeon improved
space management about the incision. In specific embodiments, the invention provides a method of performing an operation, e.g. a
spinal operation, on a patient using the disclosed retractor.