A suction retractor (100) is disclosed. Laparoscopic surgery may be carried out by passing ports through multiple small incisions, or using Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) which utilizes only a single incision and single port. Achieving adequate tissue retraction in SILS has proven to be a significant technical hurdle, as retractors that utilise the SILS port limit access of other instruments through that port. The retractor and method of the invention provide a simpler means of retracting an organ. In this way, although not limited thereto the present retractor and method, greatly simplifies upper Gastrointestinal (GI) surgery whether using true SILS or conventional multi-port laparoscopic surgery. The retractor comprises a flexible continuous dam (110) which forms a closed loop of any shape and which defines one or more inlet opening (120) into an interior of the closed loop, so that suction can be applied into an interior of the continuous dam. The suction retractor may further comprise a suction tube (130) defining a suction channel (140), the suction tube attached to or attachable to the continuous dam and when attached the suction channel continuous with the one or more inlet. The one or more inlet may open to a continuous channel extending throughout an interior of the closed loop. Preferably, the continuous dam is planar or substantially planar and comprises a first compacted configuration for insertion and a second open configuration for retraction. The suction retractor of the invention finds application in single incision and conventional laparoscopic surgery.
