Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument for insertion in an incision during surgical treatment and removal of tissue includes an inner elongated needle having an ovoid shape and a bore extending therethrough; and a hollow sleeve that surrounds the ovoid shaped needle such that two side regions of the needle contact an inner surface of the sleeve at two locations so as to define a pair of fluid channels that are located between convex outer surfaces of the needle and the inner surface of the sleeve. The shape of the sleeve, when deformed by insertion of the needle, is configured to be received within the incision during the surgical treatment and removal of the tissue so as to plug opposite ends of the incision and provide an at least substantially closed surgical site.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a surgical instrument for insertion in an incision during surgical treatment and removal of tissue includes an elongated body having a distal tip that terminates at a distal end. The distal tip has a plug feature that has a varying diameter that increases from the distal end toward an opposite proximate end of the body. The plug feature is formed at discrete local areas of an outer surface of the elongated body and is adapted to be received within the incision during the surgical treatment and removal of the tissue so as to plug opposite ends of the incision and provide an at least substantially closed surgical site.