A tissue access system comprising: an access device including: a proximal rim configured for positioning on an external side of an opening in tissue; a distal rim configured for positioning on an internal side of the opening in tissue, and; a body extending between the proximal and distal rims , the body defining a passageway extending therethrough, wherein the access device further defines a radially inwardly-extending overhang between the proximal rim and the body and extending annularly about the passageway ; and a tissue guard , comprising: a tissue guard body defining an open proximal end , an open distal end , and a lumen extending through the tissue guard body between the open proximal end and the open distal end; and a lip extending radially outwardly from the open proximal end of the tissue guard body, the lip including a plurality of spaced-apart cut-outs defined about the outer circumference of the lip to define a plurality of tabs of the lip, each tab including an outer edge segment , wherein the tissue guard body and the lip are monolithically formed as a single piece of material, wherein an outer diameter of the lip of the tissue guard is greater than an inner diameter of the proximal rim of the access device , the tabs of the lip being configured to flex radially inwardly to pass distally through the proximal rim of the access device and snap-fit with the inwardly-extending overhang to thereby engage the tissue guard within the access device . an access device including: a proximal rim configured for positioning on an external side of an opening in tissue; a distal rim configured for positioning on an internal side of the opening in tissue, and; a body extending between the proximal and distal rims , the body defining a passageway extending therethrough, a proximal rim configured for positioning on an external side of an opening in tissue; a distal rim configured for positioning on an internal side of the opening in tissue, and; a body extending between the proximal and distal rims , the body defining a passageway extending therethrough, wherein the access device further defines a radially inwardly-extending overhang between the proximal rim and the body and extending annularly about the passageway ; and a tissue guard , comprising: a tissue guard body defining an open proximal end , an open distal end , and a lumen extending through the tissue guard body between the open proximal end and the open distal end; and a lip extending radially outwardly from the open proximal end of the tissue guard body, the lip including a plurality of spaced-apart cut-outs defined about the outer circumference of the lip to define a plurality of tabs of the lip, each tab including an outer edge segment , a tissue guard body defining an open proximal end , an open distal end , and a lumen extending through the tissue guard body between the open proximal end and the open distal end; and a lip extending radially outwardly from the open proximal end of the tissue guard body, the lip including a plurality of spaced-apart cut-outs defined about the outer circumference of the lip to define a plurality of tabs of the lip, each tab including an outer edge segment , wherein the tissue guard body and the lip are monolithically formed as a single piece of material, wherein an outer diameter of the lip of the tissue guard is greater than an inner diameter of the proximal rim of the access device , the tabs of the lip being configured to flex radially inwardly to pass distally through the proximal rim of the access device and snap-fit with the inwardly-extending overhang to thereby engage the tissue guard within the access device . <EOS>