a surgical trocar includes an operative sleeve adapted for disposition across a tissue barrier and an obturator removably disposed in the sleeve . a source of energy is introduced to a cutting element disposed at the distal end of the obturator for energizing the cutting element to cut tissue barrier . the distal end of the obturator and the distal end of the operative sleeve can be advanced through the cut tissue and the obturator removed leaving the sleeve operatively disposed for further surgery .