The present application discloses a telescopic retractor holder comprising a telescopic rod with an inner tube, an outer tube and a locking mechanism as well as a retractor rod. Said retractor rod has at its one end a retractor mounting, which is adapted for releasably gripping a retractor, and at its other end is fastened to the telescopic rod by means of a jointed connection. The telescopic rod can be supported on an operating table and has an actuating mechanism, by which the locking mechanism can be transferred from a first position, in which the inner tube and the outer tube of the telescopic rod are held immovably in relation to one another, into a second position, in which the inner tube and the outer tube of the telescopic rod are movable in relation to one another in the longitudinal direction of the tubes.