A surgical rib retractor has a housing and a body pivotably coupled to the housing and moveable between a closed position and an open position. The retractor also has a first arm unit coupled to the housing and configured to atraumatically receive tissue. The first arm unit has a first arm, a first strut movable relative to the first arm in a first plane defined by the first arm, and a first frame attached to the first strut. The retractor also has a second arm unit coupled to the body and configured to atraumatically receive tissue. The second arm unit has a second arm, a second strut movable relative to the second arm in a second plane defined by the second arm, wherein the second plane is not parallel to the first plane when the body is in the closed position, and a second frame attached to the second strut.