Abstract: Tissue-retrieving means for a surgical instrument having a snare loop projecting outwardly from a distal end thereof for encircling projecting body tissue, and means for contracting the loop, thereby to sever the encircled tissue, which retrieving means includes tissue engaging means, manipulating means connected to the engaging means, means for mounting the manipulating means on the instrument for manipulating the engaging means to engage tissue encircled by the loop, and means for effecting manual adjustment of the position of the engaging means relative to the loop, rotationally about a longitudinally-extending axis, for engagement of the engaging means with a selected portion of encircled tissue extending from either side of the loop.