An insufflating surgical instrument adapted for movement across an abdominal wall to insufflate and abdominal region of a patient comprising: a cannula having a wall forming a first lumen extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, and a first insufflation channel extending along the axis between the proximal end and the distal end and being adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure at the proximal end; an insufflating optical trocar insertable into and removable from the cannula, the trocar having a shaft with a second lumen extending along the axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a second insufflation channel extending along the axis between the proximal end and the distal end, at least one shaft vent being in connection with the second insufflation channel, and a transparent tip at the distal end of the shaft enclosing the distal end of the shaft to prevent surgical instruments from extending through the distal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft of the trocar has a diameter sized to enable insertion of a laparoscope; and a seal housing including a cannula seal (80a, 80b), the cannula being configured to releasably attach to the seal housing and the cannula seal (80a, 80b) positioned outside the first and second lumens and between the seal housing and the cannula; characterized by a distal cannula seal positioned at the distal end of the cannula within the first lumen between the cannula and the trocar, the at least one shaft vent being adapted to allow transfer of the fluid under pressure from the first insufflation channel of the cannula into the second insufflation channel of the trocar, and at least one vent hole formed at the tip of the trocar being in connection with the second insufflation channel of the trocar to expel the fluid under pressure to insufflate the abdominal region and the distal cannula seal configured to limit fluid escape. a cannula having a wall forming a first lumen extending along an axis between a proximal end and a distal end, and a first insufflation channel extending along the axis between the proximal end and the distal end and being adapted for connection to a source of fluid under pressure at the proximal end; an insufflating optical trocar insertable into and removable from the cannula, the trocar having a shaft with a second lumen extending along the axis between a proximal end and a distal end, a second insufflation channel extending along the axis between the proximal end and the distal end, at least one shaft vent being in connection with the second insufflation channel, and a transparent tip at the distal end of the shaft enclosing the distal end of the shaft to prevent surgical instruments from extending through the distal end of the shaft; wherein the shaft of the trocar has a diameter sized to enable insertion of a laparoscope; and a seal housing including a cannula seal (80a, 80b), the cannula being configured to releasably attach to the seal housing and the cannula seal (80a, 80b) positioned outside the first and second lumens and between the seal housing and the cannula; characterized by a distal cannula seal positioned at the distal end of the cannula within the first lumen between the cannula and the trocar, the at least one shaft vent being adapted to allow transfer of the fluid under pressure from the first insufflation channel of the cannula into the second insufflation channel of the trocar, and at least one vent hole formed at the tip of the trocar being in connection with the second insufflation channel of the trocar to expel the fluid under pressure to insufflate the abdominal region and the distal cannula seal configured to limit fluid escape.