A surgical access system comprises a trocar, an insufflating optical obturatorslidably insertable into the trocar, and a laparoscope slidably insertableinto the obturator. Adistal end of the obturator comprises a tip, at least a portion of whichcomprises a wall with agenerally uniform thickness comprising a transparent material. At least onevent hole disposedat the obturator tip is fluidly connected to a gas flow channel defined by aninterior surface ofthe obturator and the laparoscope, which is fluidly connected to aninsufflation gas inlet dis-posedat a proximal end of the trocar. Improved optical characteristics of thetrocar systempermit precise and accurate visual placement thereof into a body cavity.Accordingly the ac-cesssystem is suitable as a first entry surgical access system. Embodiments of thetrocar accessare also useful for drug delivery, and/or for fluid and/or tissue aspiration.
