Abstract: A retractor has a blade which is in contact with a surgical wound. A handle has one end supported by the blade and extends substantially normal thereto, and has an opposite free end. A brace plate is attached to the free end of the handle and fits against the user's forearm to stabilize the retractor. A hand grip is attached to the handle between the blade and the brace plate. The arrangement is such that a fulcrum is created at the attachment between the hand grip and the handle, whereby the larger and stronger muscles of the user are available with a mechanical advantage to control the retractor. The blade may assume a variety of configurations and the blade, hand grip and brace plate are pivotable in a variety of planes relative to the plane of the handle.