A surgical access apparatus adaptable to permit the sealed insertion of either the surgeon's hand and/or surgical instruments during laparoscopic and endoscopic surgical procedures includes an access housing defining a central longitudinal axis and having a longitudinal opening extending therethrough for passage of a surgeon's hand, a retractor base mounted to the access housing and having a flexible liner for positioning within the incision to engage tissue portions defining the incision, and a trocar adapter which is releasably mounted to the access housing. The trocar adapter includes a trocar sleeve positioned for reception within the longitudinal opening and a trocar valve adapted to receive a surgical instrument in fluid tight relation therewith. The access housing may include a seal adapted to form a seal about each of the surgeon's arm and the trocar sleeve. The seal is adapted to close in absence of the surgeon's arm or the trocar sleeve.