Abstract: A surgical retractor is disclosed that is able to form an oblique tunnel-like opening at an incision site wherein, in addition to spreading the sides of the site incision substantially parallel to the contour of the patient's body, the present surgical retractor additionally spreads the incision sides so that one side is depressed toward the patient and the other is directed outwardly from the patient. Accordingly, the present retractor is useful for forming a tunnel-like opening to, for example, the heart by obliquely spreading the patient's ribs. Further, the present retractor is particularly useful in keyhole or mini-surgery wherein the initial incision site is not immediately adjacent to the target surgery site.