The present invention provides a surgical retractor system in which first and second retractor blades are maintained in spaced relationship by a third retractor blade engaged with the first and second retractor blades. The first and second retractor blades are moveable between a first position in which they are nearer one another and a second position in which they are further from one another. The third retractor blade is engageable with the first and second retractor blades in the second position to maintain the first and second retractor blades in the second position. The first, second, and third retractor blades define an open space between them in which a minimally invasive surgical procedure may be carried out.
