A wound protector and retractor device (80) comprises a sleeve (2), a distal member provided by a distal ring (3) of resilient material and a proximal member provided by a proximal ring (4). The sleeve (2) is led around the ring (3) and is free to move axially relative to the distal ring (3) somewhat in the manner of a pulley. The proximal ring (4) is fixed to the sleeve (2), in this case at the proximal inner end thereof. The resilient distal ring (3) is scrunched up and inserted through the incision (6). The sleeve (2) is then pulled upwardly. On pulling of the sleeve (2) upwardly the outer layer (2b) is pulled up while the inner layer (2a) is drawn around the proximal ring (3). This results in shortening the axial extent between the proximal ring (4) and the distal ring (3), tensioning the sleeve and applying a retraction force to the margins of the incision (6). As the incision is being retracted the margins are also protected by the sleeve. The distal ring (3) is provided with a release mechanism, comprising a cord or ribbon (81), which is coupled at one end (82) to the distal ring (3) and terminates in an outer free end (83) which can be grasped by a user. Pulling the cord or ribbon (81) pulls the distal ring (3), allowing the ring to be released from the inner wall. of the incision (6) to thereby release the device (80).