Systems for performing a medical procedure and associated methods and devices are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a system for performing a medical procedure includes an elongate flexible device including a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a lumen extending therebetween. The lumen is configured to receive a medical instrument positioned within a target when the elongate flexible device is positioned toward the target. The system is configured to perform operations comprising determining the pose of the distal portion of the elongate flexible device based on sensor data from a sensor system; retracting, via a control system, the elongate flexible device relative to the medical instrument and away from the target; and adjusting, via the control system, the pose of the distal portion of the elongate flexible device so the distal portion remains oriented toward the target.