Surgical retrieval devices for capturing tissues and fluids in endoscopic and laproscopic operations include a semi-rigid, resiliently collapsible and expandable basket comprising a structural combination of resilient, semi-rigid snare wire and frame wire members that are formed with a yieldable bend configuration that together flare into a basket form when extended out of a catheter. The basket is enhanced by surrounds of net, mesh, or impervious material for retaining smaller bits of tissue or fluids, or with a web of interspersed flexible threads for enhanced tissue retaining capability.