A surgical system comprising: - a retractor system comprising a first retractor blade , a second retractor blade , and a third retractor blade , wherein the first retractor blade comprises an inner wall that forms a part of a channel that extends a length of the first retractor blade, - a shim device attached to the first retractor blade , wherein the shim device is received within the channel of the first retractor blade , wherein the shim device comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion of the shim device being tapered to engage a portion of a vertebral member, - wherein the shim device further comprises a first pocket and a second pocket formed in the inner wall of the shim device - and the first retractor blade comprises a latch mechanism including a spring-loaded latch configured to fit within the first pocket and the second pocket , wherein when the spring-loaded latch is in the first pocket the shim device is in a retracted position and wherein when the spring-loaded latch is in the second pocket the shim device is in an extended position, characterized in that - the first pocket includes an opening having a first end and a second end , the first end of the first pocket is configured to receive the spring-loaded latch therethrough, the second end of the first pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of a shim tool , and - the second pocket includes an opening having a first end and a second end , the first end is configured to receive the spring-loaded latch therethrough and the second end of the second pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of the shim tool . - a retractor system comprising a first retractor blade , a second retractor blade , and a third retractor blade , wherein the first retractor blade comprises an inner wall that forms a part of a channel that extends a length of the first retractor blade, - a shim device attached to the first retractor blade , wherein the shim device is received within the channel of the first retractor blade , wherein the shim device comprises a proximal portion and a distal portion with the distal portion of the shim device being tapered to engage a portion of a vertebral member, - wherein the shim device further comprises a first pocket and a second pocket formed in the inner wall of the shim device - and the first retractor blade comprises a latch mechanism including a spring-loaded latch configured to fit within the first pocket and the second pocket , wherein when the spring-loaded latch is in the first pocket the shim device is in a retracted position and wherein when the spring-loaded latch is in the second pocket the shim device is in an extended position, characterized in that - the first pocket includes an opening having a first end and a second end , the first end of the first pocket is configured to receive the spring-loaded latch therethrough, the second end of the first pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of a shim tool , and - the second pocket includes an opening having a first end and a second end , the first end is configured to receive the spring-loaded latch therethrough and the second end of the second pocket is configured to receive at least a portion of the shim tool . <EOS>