A surgical retractor (700; 1600), comprising: an expandable frame including a first base component (714, 716, 718, 720) having a first blade (104; 702, 704, 706, 708; 1300) attached thereto, a second base component (714, 716, 718, 720) having a second blade (104; 702, 704, 706, 708; 1300) attached thereto, a further base component (714, 716, 718, 720) having a further blade (104; 702, 704, 706, 708; 1300) attached thereto, a first connector (106; 722, 724, 726, 728) including a ratchet arm that connects the first base component and the second base component, wherein the first base component is secured to the ratchet arm and the second base component is moveable along a length of the ratchet arm, and a further connector (106; 722, 724, 726, 728) that connects the second base component and the further base component, wherein at least one of the second base component and the further base component is moveable along a length of the further connector; wherein: the expandable frame has a major plane and the base components are arranged to define an access portal through the major plane that provides an opening with an inner diameter that allows access to a surgical site; upon movement of the second base component along the length of the ratchet arm, the frame moves from a first position (Fig. 6) to a second position (Fig. 7) and causes a distance between the first base component and the second base component to change; and upon movement of the second base component or further base component along the length of the further connector, the frame moves from the second position to a third position (Fig. 8) and causes a distance between the second base component and the further base component to change. an expandable frame including a first base component (714, 716, 718, 720) having a first blade (104; 702, 704, 706, 708; 1300) attached thereto, a second base component (714, 716, 718, 720) having a second blade (104; 702, 704, 706, 708; 1300) attached thereto, a further base component (714, 716, 718, 720) having a further blade (104; 702, 704, 706, 708; 1300) attached thereto, a first connector (106; 722, 724, 726, 728) including a ratchet arm that connects the first base component and the second base component, wherein the first base component is secured to the ratchet arm and the second base component is moveable along a length of the ratchet arm, and a further connector (106; 722, 724, 726, 728) that connects the second base component and the further base component, wherein at least one of the second base component and the further base component is moveable along a length of the further connector; wherein: the expandable frame has a major plane and the base components are arranged to define an access portal through the major plane that provides an opening with an inner diameter that allows access to a surgical site; upon movement of the second base component along the length of the ratchet arm, the frame moves from a first position (Fig. 6) to a second position (Fig. 7) and causes a distance between the first base component and the second base component to change; and upon movement of the second base component or further base component along the length of the further connector, the frame moves from the second position to a third position (Fig. 8) and causes a distance between the second base component and the further base component to change. the expandable frame has a major plane and the base components are arranged to define an access portal through the major plane that provides an opening with an inner diameter that allows access to a surgical site; upon movement of the second base component along the length of the ratchet arm, the frame moves from a first position (Fig. 6) to a second position (Fig. 7) and causes a distance between the first base component and the second base component to change; and upon movement of the second base component or further base component along the length of the further connector, the frame moves from the second position to a third position (Fig. 8) and causes a distance between the second base component and the further base component to change.