A percutaneous telescopic tissue dilation system, comprising: a first dilation tube having a proximal end and a distal end and two grooves, disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, each of the grooves extending at least partially circumferentially around the first dilation tube; a second dilation tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen being dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of the first dilation tube; a third dilation tube having a lumen dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of the second dilation tube; and a dilation tube retention assembly (510, 510', 536) effective in retaining the second dilation tube in a substantially fixed first position relative to the first dilation tube prior to dilation of tissue of an individual, wherein the dilation tube retention assembly engages with a first groove on the first dilation tube, and in releasing the second dilation tube from the substantially fixed first position to facilitate movement of the second dilation tube towards the distal end of the first dilation tube to a substantially fixed second position to dilate tissue of a patient, wherein the dilation tube retention assembly engages with a second groove on the dilation tube, wherein in the second position, the distal end of the first dilation tube is adjacent the distal end of the second dilation tube, the dilation tube retention assembly further being effective in retaining the third dilation tube in a substantially fixed position relative to at least one of the first dilation tube and the second dilation tube; wherein the first dilation tube and the second dilation tube can be connected together in a locked configuration with the retention assembly for removing the first dilation tube and the second dilation tube together from the third dilation tube; wherein in the first substantially fixed position and the second substantially fixed position the proximal end of the first dilation tube is entirely received within the lumen of the second dilation tube. a first dilation tube having a proximal end and a distal end and two grooves, disposed between the proximal end and the distal end, each of the grooves extending at least partially circumferentially around the first dilation tube; a second dilation tube having a proximal end, a distal end, and a lumen extending from the proximal end to the distal end, the lumen being dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of the first dilation tube; a third dilation tube having a lumen dimensioned to accommodate at least a portion of the second dilation tube; and a dilation tube retention assembly (510, 510', 536) effective in retaining the second dilation tube in a substantially fixed first position relative to the first dilation tube prior to dilation of tissue of an individual, wherein the dilation tube retention assembly engages with a first groove on the first dilation tube, and in releasing the second dilation tube from the substantially fixed first position to facilitate movement of the second dilation tube towards the distal end of the first dilation tube to a substantially fixed second position to dilate tissue of a patient, wherein the dilation tube retention assembly engages with a second groove on the dilation tube, wherein in the second position, the distal end of the first dilation tube is adjacent the distal end of the second dilation tube, the dilation tube retention assembly further being effective in retaining the third dilation tube in a substantially fixed position relative to at least one of the first dilation tube and the second dilation tube; wherein the first dilation tube and the second dilation tube can be connected together in a locked configuration with the retention assembly for removing the first dilation tube and the second dilation tube together from the third dilation tube; wherein in the first substantially fixed position and the second substantially fixed position the proximal end of the first dilation tube is entirely received within the lumen of the second dilation tube.