Tissue dilation systems are disclosed. The present systems provide percutaneous access to one or more target structures located in a patient's body. The tissue dilation systems include two or more tissue dilation tubes (32, 52, 72) telescopically arranged and moveable relative to each other. The tissue dilation tubes can be preassembled prior to use by utilizing a dilation tube retention assembly (90) which can maintain the dilation tubes in a substantially fixed position and release the tubes therefrom in order to dilate a patient's tissue. Methods of producing the present systems and using the present systems in surgical procedures are also disclosed.
