Abstract: A retractor with pivoting arms which reduces the amount of pressure exerted on the small ribs of the upper part of the rib cage when the rib cage is retracted for open heart surgery. One of the arms is pivotally mounted to the cross-bar and the other is pivotally mounted to a cursor. The cursor moves along the cross-bar such that as the cursor is moved along the cross-bar, the opening will be retracted in a triangular shape. Pressure is exerted evenly along the edges of the incision and the triangular configuration of the opening reduces the breakage of the small ribs of the rib cage.