Abstract: Surgical constructs, assemblies, kits and methods of tissue fixation are disclosed. A suture passing instrument includes a curved tip integral with a distal end of a shaft, a hand assembly mounted on a proximal end of the shaft, and a flexible strand attached to one or two needles and loaded through a cannulation of the shaft. The curve-shaped tip is adapted to engage dural tissue during repairs of the dura mater. The suture passing instrument can grasp and manipulate dura mater and can allow multiple suture passes through the dura mater without removal of the instrument from the durotomy site. The suture passing instrument is provided with a safety mechanism that prohibits the needle(s) to be fired into nerves, providing a safe, reliable, inexpensive, and speedy repair of a durotomy.