Abstract: Surgical instruments, guides, and methods for closure of fascia and other tissue sites are disclosed. A suture passer guide comprises an elongate body with first and second passages for guiding a suture passer. The long axes of the elongate body, the first passage, and the second passage, preferably lie in three separate parallel planes. A suture passer comprises a housing having a needle tip portion and a first suture grasping surface. An elongate body is located at least partially within the housing and is configured to slide within the housing. The elongate body has a second suture grasping surface at the distal end. The first and second suture grasping surfaces preferably are spaced from the needle tip portion.

Abstract: A surgical instrument, a snap-on guide and method capable of being used for closure of fascia and other laparoscopic procedures that use large operative ports or trocars and is intended to help prevent post-operative hernia defects and is also used to stop acute bleeding from the abdominal wall. The instrument shaft with the needle tip is attached to a hand piece allowing the operator to control the retractable grasping surface. The needle guide directly applies onto the shaft of a trocar and it slides down to the level of the subcutaneous tissue helping the operator to place the needle. Once the suture is passed through the abdominal wall, it is released then the needle is re-inserted through the opposite “guide port”. The suture creates an intra-abdominal loop of suture outside the abdomen. Suture ends will be tied, allowing closure of the fascial defect within the abdominal wall.