A balloon dissector (10; 110; 210; 310) comprising: a cannula (20; 120; 220; 320) defining a lumen extending between proximal and distal (26; 226; 326) ends thereof; an expandable bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) configured to expand when fluid is injected into the lumen, the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) including: an inner surface; a proximal base (37; 237; 337) selectively coupled to the distal end (26; 226; 326) of the cannula (20; 120; 220; 320) in a sealing relationship; and a cord (36; 136; 236) having a first end (36a; 136a), a second end (36c; 136c; 236c), and a central portion (36b; 136b; 236b), at least one of the first (36a; 136a) and second ends (36c; 136c; 236c) extending from the proximal end of the cannula (20; 120; 220; 320), the central portion (36b; 136b; 236b) extending from the first end (36a; 136a) to the second end (36c; 136c; 236c) through the lumen, wherein the proximal end of the cannula (20, 120, 220, 320) includes a retaining mechanism, wherein the retaining mechanism is configured to slidably receive the second end (36c, 136c, 236c) of the cord (36, 136, 236), said balloon dissector being characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of slidable cord receiving retainers (34a, 134a, 234a) positioned on the inner surface, and in that the central portion (36b, 136b, 236b) of said cord extends through said retainers (34a; 134a; 234a) of the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330), the cord (36; 136; 236) configured to draw a portion of the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) into the lumen after the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) is deflated. a cannula (20; 120; 220; 320) defining a lumen extending between proximal and distal (26; 226; 326) ends thereof; an expandable bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) configured to expand when fluid is injected into the lumen, the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) including: an inner surface; a proximal base (37; 237; 337) selectively coupled to the distal end (26; 226; 326) of the cannula (20; 120; 220; 320) in a sealing relationship; and a cord (36; 136; 236) having a first end (36a; 136a), a second end (36c; 136c; 236c), and a central portion (36b; 136b; 236b), at least one of the first (36a; 136a) and second ends (36c; 136c; 236c) extending from the proximal end of the cannula (20; 120; 220; 320), the central portion (36b; 136b; 236b) extending from the first end (36a; 136a) to the second end (36c; 136c; 236c) through the lumen, wherein the proximal end of the cannula (20, 120, 220, 320) includes a retaining mechanism, wherein the retaining mechanism is configured to slidably receive the second end (36c, 136c, 236c) of the cord (36, 136, 236), said balloon dissector being characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of slidable cord receiving retainers (34a, 134a, 234a) positioned on the inner surface, and in that the central portion (36b, 136b, 236b) of said cord extends through said retainers (34a; 134a; 234a) of the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330), the cord (36; 136; 236) configured to draw a portion of the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) into the lumen after the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) is deflated. an inner surface; a proximal base (37; 237; 337) selectively coupled to the distal end (26; 226; 326) of the cannula (20; 120; 220; 320) in a sealing relationship; and a cord (36; 136; 236) having a first end (36a; 136a), a second end (36c; 136c; 236c), and a central portion (36b; 136b; 236b), at least one of the first (36a; 136a) and second ends (36c; 136c; 236c) extending from the proximal end of the cannula (20; 120; 220; 320), the central portion (36b; 136b; 236b) extending from the first end (36a; 136a) to the second end (36c; 136c; 236c) through the lumen, wherein the proximal end of the cannula (20, 120, 220, 320) includes a retaining mechanism, wherein the retaining mechanism is configured to slidably receive the second end (36c, 136c, 236c) of the cord (36, 136, 236), said balloon dissector being characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of slidable cord receiving retainers (34a, 134a, 234a) positioned on the inner surface, and in that the central portion (36b, 136b, 236b) of said cord extends through said retainers (34a; 134a; 234a) of the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330), the cord (36; 136; 236) configured to draw a portion of the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) into the lumen after the bladder (30; 130; 230; 330) is deflated.