Abstract: An apparatus is provided for use in combination with a surgical sponge assembly and a trocar including a cannula where the surgical sponge assembly includes a suction tube coupled to a sponge head. A body includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a first lumen and a second lumen that join one another to form a cavity. The first lumen and the second lumen are separated from one another by an interior wall that extends from the proximal end of the body to the cavity. The first lumen is sized and configured to allow an axial movement of the suction tube within the first lumen and the cavity is configured to store at least a portion of the sponge head. The apparatus is configured to allow the surgical sponge assembly to be moved from a retracted position to an extended position.