An insufflating surgical access system (300, 400) comprising: a trocar (310,410) comprising: a proximal end and a distal end; a trocar seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the trocar, the trocar seal assembly comprising an instrument seal; an elongate cannula disposed at the distal end of the trocar, the cannula comprising a tubular wall defining a lumen (334, 434), an open proximal end, and an open distal end; an access channel defining a longitudinal axis, extending through the trocar seal assembly and the lumen (334, 434) of the cannula, from the proximal end of the trocar to the distal end of the trocar; a fluid port (350, 450) disposed at the proximal end of the trocar; and a fluid flow seal (340, 440) disposed in the access channel; the system further comprising an obturator (360, 460) comprising: an elongate body (362, 462) comprising a proximal end and a distal end; at least one proximal opening and at least one distal opening perforating the elongate body; a tissue penetrating tip disposed at the distal end wherein at least a portion of the tip of the obturator (360, 460) is transparent; an instrument well open at a proximal end of the obturator (360, 460), extending longitudinally through the body (362, 462) of the obturator (360, 460), terminating at the tip of the obturator, and dimensioned to receive a laparoscope therein; and a handle disposed at the proximal end, wherein the obturator (360, 460) is slidably insertable into a proximal end of the access channel, and the tip of the obturator (360, 460) extends out of the distal, open end of the cannula when fully inserted therethrough; and a fluid flow channel fluidly connected to the fluid port (350, 450) of the trocar, including the instrument well and extending to a distal end of the insufflating access system (300,400), and comprising the at least one proximal opening and the at least one distal opening disposed in the body of the obturator, wherein the obturator (360,460) in the access channel has a closed position, in which the body (362, 462) of the obturator (360, 460) sealingly contacts the fluid flow seal (340, 440), thereby preventing fluid flow through the fluid flow channel, and an open position, in which the body (362, 462) of the obturator (360, 460) does not sealingly contact the fluid flow seal (340, 440), thereby allowing fluid flow through the fluid flow channel, wherein in the open position, the distal opening is exposed and, in the closed position, the distal opening is positioned proximal of the fluid flow seal which forms a seal with a portion of the elongate body of the obturator (360,460) distal of the distal opening thereby preventing fluid flow. a trocar (310,410) comprising: a proximal end and a distal end; a trocar seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the trocar, the trocar seal assembly comprising an instrument seal; an elongate cannula disposed at the distal end of the trocar, the cannula comprising a tubular wall defining a lumen (334, 434), an open proximal end, and an open distal end; an access channel defining a longitudinal axis, extending through the trocar seal assembly and the lumen (334, 434) of the cannula, from the proximal end of the trocar to the distal end of the trocar; a fluid port (350, 450) disposed at the proximal end of the trocar; and a fluid flow seal (340, 440) disposed in the access channel; a proximal end and a distal end; a trocar seal assembly disposed at the proximal end of the trocar, the trocar seal assembly comprising an instrument seal; an elongate cannula disposed at the distal end of the trocar, the cannula comprising a tubular wall defining a lumen (334, 434), an open proximal end, and an open distal end; an access channel defining a longitudinal axis, extending through the trocar seal assembly and the lumen (334, 434) of the cannula, from the proximal end of the trocar to the distal end of the trocar; a fluid port (350, 450) disposed at the proximal end of the trocar; and a fluid flow seal (340, 440) disposed in the access channel; an elongate body (362, 462) comprising a proximal end and a distal end; at least one proximal opening and at least one distal opening perforating the elongate body; a tissue penetrating tip disposed at the distal end wherein at least a portion of the tip of the obturator (360, 460) is transparent; an instrument well open at a proximal end of the obturator (360, 460), extending longitudinally through the body (362, 462) of the obturator (360, 460), terminating at the tip of the obturator, and dimensioned to receive a laparoscope therein; and a handle disposed at the proximal end,