A surgical retractor including a blade molded from a polymer having at least a predetermined flexural strength, a handle, and a deepened portion connecting a proximal end of the blade to the handle, wherein the deepened portion increases in depth from the proximal end of the blade toward the handle, and wherein the blade, being molded from the polymer, and the deepened portion are configured such that the blade deforms less than 10 mm under 15 lbs of force applied thereto.