Abstract: An improved surgical instrument which is used for cutting of tissue. The instrument includes a sensor which identifies nerves within the patient which are proximate to the cutting member of the instrument. The entire assembly is hand held and includes both a surgical cutter such as a scalpel blade, scissors, or laser scalpel, as well as the electronics to stimulate nerves within the patient. The electronics monitor is positioned near the tip of the instrument to warn the surgeon of a proximate nerve so that the nerves are not inadvertently severed. In one embodiment of this invention, the scissors are incapacitated when a nerve is sensed to prevent an accidental cutting of the nerve.