Abstract: A method of performing a surgical procedure includes providing an instrument supporting tray having a plurality of surgical instruments positioned thereon adjacent to a plurality of instrument-identifying indicia disposed in predetermined relative positions. In performing the surgical procedure, the surgical instruments will be employed generally in the sequence in which they are positioned on the tray. The surgical instruments are identified by at least one of (a) graphics corresponding generally to the shape of the particular surgical instrument, (b) recesses conforming generally to the shape of the surgical instrument and (c) words and/or numbers providing identification thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the instrument-identifying indicia will be provided with different instruments in different sequences, depending upon the specific surgical procedure.