A multi-patient use trocar assembly is disclosed. The trocar assembly has obturator and cannula subassemblies. The obturator subassembly has an elongated obturator shaft which can receive an endoscope at its distal end. The obturator shaft is reusable for multi-patient use. A transparent obturator tip is detachably mounted onto the end of the obturator shaft. The obturator tip is transparent and disposable. Because it is transparent, illuminated images provided by the endoscope within the body cavity can be transmitted through the obturator tip. Once the trocar assembly is used on a first patient, the obturator tip is detached and disposed of, and replaced with another obturator tip. Hospital costs are reduced because the trocar assembly can be reused multiple times, and only the obturator tip needs to be disposed of after each patient use.