The present invention provides a patient specific access retractor and methods for use in surgery, for example, minimally invasive spinal surgery. The surgical access retractor is for maintaining an enlarged surgical corridor, said retractor having a length sufficient to span from a skin surface through to a region of surgical interest, said retractor having at least one portion shaped to match with the region of surgical interest, wherein the shape of said portion is, at least in part, based on patient specific medical imaging.
