To avoid traditional muscle dissection required in the placement of a surgical implant during arthrodesis, a pedicle seeker and retractor are provided. The pedicle seeker includes a distal end that approximates the size, shape and length of a surgical implant and is of sufficient length to extend beyond the face of the retractor, allowing the pedicle seeker to be removed from the surgical site once the retractor has been placed. The pedicle seeker is used to palpate the bony surface of the patient's spine in order to locate the proper place to place an implant. After the desired location has been located, the retractor is placed into the surgical site and held in place in order to maintain the desired location for placement of the surgical implant, and the seeker is removed. The retractor includes surficial features that approximate the size of the pedicle seeker and the surgical implant, to allow the implant to be moved down the length of the face of the retractor to the desired location. The retractor therefore provides a guide for the desired implant to be to the desired location and is configured to retract as the implant is advanced into position. The pedicle seeker and retractor of the present invention thus allow for accurate, protected placement of a surgical implant without the use of a retractor insert, or similar article.