Abstract: An apparatus (10) for suturing wounds (12) in a patient includes a first elongated hollow body (14) having a bore (16) therethrough. The hollow body (14) has a first end (18) adapted to receive a suturing element (20) and a second end (22) adapted to penetrate a tissue layer (24). A second elongated member (28) has a first end (30) and a second end (32) with an aperture (34). A first alignment device (38) is disposed with the first end (18) of the hollow body (14) and a second, cooperating alignment device (40) is disposed with the first end (30) of the second elongated member (28) such that the joining of the first alignment device (38) and the second alignment device (40) holds the hollow body bore (16) in alignment with the second elongated member aperture (34).