Abstract: A minimally invasive surgical instrument includes a housing and an outermost elongated shaft having an end effector operatively coupled to a distal end thereof. The outermost elongated shaft is releasably secured to a pincher within the housing of the instrument such that during the course of a surgical procedure, an appropriately dimensioned elongated shaft and suitable end effector may be interchanged as desired. The elongated shaft may have an adjustable length, and the end effectors of the elongated shaft may be interchangeable.