Abstract: A retractor device for use in surgical procedures is disclosed. The retractor has a handle element that is held by a surgeon. The handle element has a first end and a second end. At least a portion of the handle element between the first end and the second end is fabricated from a malleable material. The malleable material enables the relative position between the first end of the handle element and the second end of the handle element to be selectively adjusted by hand. A rigid retractor blade extends from the first end of the handle element. By altering the shape of the handle element, the orientation of the rigid retractor blade can be selectively altered. As such, a surgeon can selectively change the shape of the retractor without sacrificing the strength of the contact blade portion of the retractor.