A surgical retractor is disclosed having a handle portion, an elongated body portion extending distally from the handle portion and including an outer tube, a fixed stabilizing member extending from a distal end of the outer tube and a pair of resilient bands pivotably connected to a distal end portion of the stabilizing member. An actuation mechanism is provided which is associated with the handle portion and proximal end portions of the bands for moving the bands between open and closed position. The surgical retractor further includes a sheath dimensioned to receive at least a portion of the stabilizing member and the bands.