A surgical access sleeve may include a tubular braid with a closed end pocket at the distal end. The tubular braid is compressible, or it can be shortened, in a longitudinal direction, to force the tubular braid to expand radially outward. A surgical method includes inserting a substantially un-compressed access sleeve partially into an incision or opening in a patient, with the access sleeve comprising a tubular braid. The access sleeve is compressed in a longitudinal direction to force the access sleeve to expand radially outward to dilate or maintain the opening.
