A surgical apparatus for permitting access to tissue, which comprises: an elongated introducer (100; 300) including an outer wall segment defining a longitudinal axis (A-A) and a longitudinal port passage extending therethrough, the outer wall segment having a longitudinal slot in communication with the port passage, the elongated introducer dimensioned for at least partial introduction within an opening in tissue; and a surgical port for providing access to underlying tissue, the surgical port including a port body having leading and trailing ends (206,208), an intermediate segment disposed between the leading and trailing ends, at least one passageway for reception and passage of a surgical instrument, the port body being mounted to the elongated introducer (100; 300) with one of the leading and trailing ends (206, 208) disposed within the port passage and with the intermediate segment extending through the longitudinal slot and the other of the leading and trailing ends external of the elongated introducer, the port body dimensioned to be advanced within the port passage for deployment through the opening in the tissue as generally directed by the elongated introducer, the port body comprising a compressible material adapted to transition from a compressed state when mounted to the elongated introducer to a released state when deployed from the elongated introducer wherein the elongated introducer defines introducer leading and trailing ends, and characterised by further including a retractor segment adjacent the introducer leading end, the retractor segment dimensioned and configured to retract tissue surrounding the opening wherein the retractor segment defines a general hook-shape and is arranged in oblique relation with the longitudinal axis. an elongated introducer (100; 300) including an outer wall segment defining a longitudinal axis (A-A) and a longitudinal port passage extending therethrough, the outer wall segment having a longitudinal slot in communication with the port passage, the elongated introducer dimensioned for at least partial introduction within an opening in tissue; and a surgical port for providing access to underlying tissue, the surgical port including a port body having leading and trailing ends (206,208), an intermediate segment disposed between the leading and trailing ends, at least one passageway for reception and passage of a surgical instrument, the port body being mounted to the elongated introducer (100; 300) with one of the leading and trailing ends (206, 208) disposed within the port passage and with the intermediate segment extending through the longitudinal slot and the other of the leading and trailing ends external of the elongated introducer, the port body dimensioned to be advanced within the port passage for deployment through the opening in the tissue as generally directed by the elongated introducer, the port body comprising a compressible material adapted to transition from a compressed state when mounted to the elongated introducer to a released state when deployed from the elongated introducer wherein the elongated introducer defines introducer leading and trailing ends, and characterised by further including a retractor segment adjacent the introducer leading end, the retractor segment dimensioned and configured to retract tissue surrounding the opening wherein the retractor segment defines a general hook-shape and is arranged in oblique relation with the longitudinal axis.