Retractor/compression/distraction system

1. An orthopedic kit comprising:

a first rod having a first shaft with first threads and a first head;

a second rod having a second shaft with second threads and a second head;

a first blade having a first proximal end and a first distal end, wherein: (a) the first distal end is mountable to the first head, (b) the first blade is pivotable relative to the first head in a first mounted configuration, and (c) the first blade is configured to facilitate soft tissue retraction in the first mounted configuration to create a surgical path to a surgical site;

a second blade having a second proximal end and a second distal end, wherein: (a) the second distal end is mountable to the second head, (b) the second blade is pivotable relative to the second head in a second mounted configuration, and (c) the second blade is configured to facilitate soft tissue retraction in the second mounted configuration to create the surgical path to the surgical site;

a base removably mountable to the first and second proximal ends, the base being configured to manipulate the first and second blades to manipulate at least one of the first or second rods during a surgical procedure;

wherein (a) the first blade includes a proximal third, a middle third, and a distal third, (b) the middle third is between the proximal and distal thirds, (c) the proximal and distal thirds extend to opposing ends of the first blade, (d) the distal third includes a hinge and an aperture, and (e) the hinge is between the aperture and the middle third;

wherein (a) a portion of the distal third of the first blade includes an axis that extends through the middle and proximal thirds, (b) the hinge includes a hinge axis about which the hinge rotates, and (c) the portion of the distal third of the first blade is configured to pivot about the hinge axis such that the axis has a plurality of orientations with respect to the hinge axis and in at least one of the plurality of orientations the axis is not parallel to the hinge axis.

2. The kit of claim 1 , wherein in the at least one of the plurality of orientations the axis is orthogonal to the hinge axis.

3. The kit of claim 2 , wherein the axis interests the hinge axis.

4. The kit of claim 3 , wherein the axis does not intersect the aperture.

5. The kit of claim 4 , wherein the hinge axis does not intersect the aperture.

6. The kit of claim 5 , wherein:

the first blade includes a monolithic surface;

the monolithic surface defines a continuous unbroken perimeter;

the continuous unbroken perimeter defines an entry to the aperture.

7. The kit of claim 5 , wherein the aperture completely passes through the first blade forming a tunnel with more than one entry to the tunnel.

8. The kit of claim 7 , wherein in the first mounted configuration the aperture is configured to extend distal to the first head such that at least a portion of the first head is between the aperture and the base.

9. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the first blade is configured to lock to the first rod.

10. The kit of claim 8 , wherein the first rod includes a first tap and the second rod includes a second tap.

11. The kit of claim 7 , wherein the aperture is configured to receive the first rod.

12. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the base includes a gear.

13. The kit of claim 11 comprising a third blade coupled to the base, wherein:

the first blade is configured to slide along the base in a first direction;

the third blade is configured to slide in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.

14. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the kit does not include either of the first or second rods.

15. The kit of claim 11 , wherein the first and second rods are cannulated.