A surgical instrument including a fixed or removable handle and a tubular
member having a lumen extending therethrough with an apertures at its
proximal end and a blunt dissecting distal tip. An access window in a
distal portion of the instrument is formed through the wall of the
tubular member and in communication with the lumen. A balloon catheter is
permanently mounted in the lumen whereby inflation of the balloon causes
it to expand through the access window.