Abstract: An abdominal-wall retractor includes a mounting armature affixed stationary relative to or near an operating table. The retractor includes an upward tensioning rail affixed to the mounting armature. An upward tension linkage can engage the upward tension rail and provide tension between the upward tensioning rail and an upward surgical tool affixed to an incision site of the patient. The mounting armature includes one or more arms to elevate and position the upward tensioning rail in a fixed position above a surgical site in order to retract an abdominal wall upward at an angle from the horizontal via the supplied tension in the upward tension linkage during a surgical procedure. A lateral retraction rail can be positioned on the mounting armature below the upward tension rail. A lateral tension linkage with a lateral surgical tool can engage the lateral retraction rail to provide lateral retraction to the abdominal wall.