Abstract: The invention comprises an elongated cylindrical instrument and a method for extracorporeal knot tying in endoscopic surgery. The Christoudias knot-transfer instrument includes a solid stem of substantially cylindrical cross section with two diametrically opposite longitudinal grooves along its outer surface. These grooves converge at an angle of 100 degrees towards the axis of the cylinder at the head of the instrument, and at an angle of 150 degrees towards the axis of the cylinder at the tail of the instrument. In accordance with the method herein, this instrument pushes a knot which is tied extracorporeally with its head, through a port and into the tissues to be ligated or on top of another knot. The ends of the surgical thread slide along the grooves. Many knots can be tied and delivered to said tissues in an extremely expeditious manner.

Abstract: An assembly to facilitate endoscopic surgery comprises an endoscopic dual head needle holder, a needle transporter, a needle guide forceps and an endoscopic suture with a terminal loop. The assembly is utilized in a unique process wherein the tissue to be sutured is grasped by the needle guide forceps and the needle inserted into and through the tissue with the assembly. The needle is inserted into a body cavity with a transporter, a first needle holder is advanced to the appropriate level and the needle transferred to the first needle holder. The needle is then passed through the tissue to a second needle holder and then back to the first needle holder. The needle is then passed through the suture loop securing the thread on the tissues. Continuous suturing is then achieved by successive passage of the needle by the first needle holder through the tissues by the first needle holder, retrieval of the needle by the second needle holder and passage of it back to the first needle holder.