Abstract: A suture needle grasping and manipulating instrument includes first and second pivotally-connected arms each having a proximal end and a distal end, and first and second jaw assemblies or units pivotally mounted on the distal ends of the first and second arms respectively, said arms being disposed so as to permit relative pivotal movement thereof between a first closed jaw position wherein the jaw assemblies or units are adjacent one another and a second open position wherein the jaw assemblies or units are spaced from one another far enough to permit a needle to be inserted therebetween. The device further includes first selectively-operable means for causing said relative pivotal movement of said arms and second selectively-operable means for pivoting said jaw assemblies or jaw units relative to said arms.