A portal access device has a first member pivotally movable relative to a base. A groove is provided at the first member to be in alignment with a bore at the base, so that a cannula may freely extend through the bore, with a portion of the cannula being frictionally held along the groove of the first member. The first member may be rotatably connected to a second member, so that once the cannula is correctly inserted into a portal, the first member may be pivoted from its vertical position to its horizontal position to bend the cannula into a right angle cannula. The cannula is removed from the portal by pivoting the second member upwardly away from the base. In an alternate portal access device where there is only one arm member, the portal access device may be removed from the portal by being pulled vertically upwards.