A trocar system includes a cannula having a cannula housing and a cannula sleeve extending from the cannula housing, and an obturator at least partially positionable within the cannula. The obturator includes an obturator housing adapted for mating with the cannula housing, an obturator shaft connected to the obturator housing and receivable within the cannula sleeve, an obturator blade connected to the obturator shaft, a protective member including a protective guard coaxially mounted about the obturator blade and a latch member associated with the obturator housing and operatively connected to the protective guard. The obturator shaft and the obturator blade are adapted for relative rotational movement. The protective guard is adapted for longitudinal movement between a first position substantially enclosing the obturator blade and a second position to at least partially expose the obturator blade. The latch member is moveable from an initial position securing the protective guard in the first position to an actuated position operatively releasing the protective guard to permit the protective guard to move to the second position thereof. The latch member is preferably adapted to move to the actuated position upon mating of the obturator housing and the cannula housing.
