left or right hand particularly when the surgical retractor 10 is in the closed or un retracted position the blades 30 and 60 are inserted into the incision after insertion of the blades 30 60 the grooved tab 26 of the first retractor portion 12 is manipulated by the thumb while the second retractor portion 14 is grasped by the other hand the surgical retractor 10 is manually retracted by the user to move the blade 60 away from the blade 30 to create a gap between the blades 30 and 60 for scalpel clearance the upper and lower ratchet mechanisms incrementally ratchet along the first and second tines preventing back movement of the carriage and temporarily fixing position of the carriage and thus the second blade relative to the first blade when the actuators 54 55 are released the upper and lower ratchet mechanisms will automatically hold the carriage 46 of the second retraction portion 14 and thus the blade 60 of the second retraction portion 14 relative to the first and second tines 20 21 of the first retraction portion 14 and thus the blade 30 during surgery the led is actuated by removing the plastic insulator 17 that protrudes form the side of the housing 36 this may be done before the blades 30 60 are inserted into the incision the led is manipulated as appropriate to shine.