A retractor 101 comprises a paddle 107 and a light module 109 removably attached to the paddle 107. The light source 109 may be attached towards a distal end of the paddle 107 and the paddle 107 may be longer than the light module 109. The retractor 101 may be of the Farabeuf or Williams type. The light module 109 may be attached to the paddle 107 by a retention feature which may comprise male and female runners 111, 113, male pips and female slots 115, 117 and/or studs, ridges and channels and/or plugs and sockets. The light module 109 may have first and second housings (151, 153 fig 6a) with side emitting LEDs (161 fig 6a) attached between the two housings (151, 153 fig 6a). The first housing (151 fig 6a) may function as a waveguide receiving light from the LEDs (161 fig 6a) and may comprise a diffusion surface, which may comprise etching, moulding or printing, to function as a light guide panel. The light module 109 may comprise a switch (159 fig 6a) which may actuate automatically when the light module 109 is attached to the paddle 107.
