A direct vision dissecting port for providing safe entry into a body cavity, as well as being operative to serve as a standard port for use in laparoscopic, endoscopic or thoracic surgery. The device includes an elongated housing within which a endoscope may be positioned. The distal-most end of the device allows for viewing of tissue dissection or gripping by tissue spreaders and is operatively transitional between a closed configuration and an open, operative configuration. Transition of the tissue spreaders between the two configurations selectively cuts tissue by a spreading action in a layer-by-layer fashion while under the direct vision of the endoscope disposed therein. The port may further optionally assume an anchor configuration once positioned within the patient to enable the same to remain securely in position during the surgical procedure.