Abstract: A helical surgical snare (10) for engaging and capturing a foreign body for example in the vascular system of a human or animal body. The helical surgical snare includes an elongated tubular member (11) with the distal portion (34) of a filament wire (17) wrapped around the exterior surface (15) of the distal portion of the tube. The filament wire is positioned within the passage (14) of the tubular member and exits about the distal portion (25) thereof via inclined side ports. The distal end (18) of the filament wire is attached in the passage to the distal end (13) of the tubular member. A helical snare loop (19) is formed externally around the tubular member between the two side ports (16, 20). A handle (30) positioned at the proximal end of the tubular member pushes and pulls the distal portion of the filament wire to operate the snare loop between various open and collapsed positions.