A surgical cannula assembly includes an elongate cannula member having aplurality of longitudinal ribs extending along the longitudinal axis withadjacentlongitudinal ribs defining a longitudinal channel therebetween, a fluid portmountedadjacent the proximal end of the cannula member and configured for coupling toasource of inflation fluids, a conduit positioned within at least onelongitudinal channelof the cannula member and in fluid communication with the fluid port, and anexpandable balloon mounted adjacent the distal end of the cannula member andinfluid communication with the conduit. The expandable balloon is configured totransition from an initial unexpanded condition to an at least partiallyexpandedcondition upon passage and entry of inflation fluids from the fluid port,through theconduit and within an internal volume of the expandable balloon.
