Abstract: A surgical instrument an outer hollow member having a passageway extending therethrough. A handle is disposed near its proximal end to enable manipulation of the outer member. An inner movable assembly reciprocates through the passageway. A distal end of the inner assembly is drivable distally through the passageway from a retracted position to an extended position protruding distally beyond the distal end of the outer member. The distal end of the inner assembly terminates in at least first and second grasper members for traveling past and on either side of a portion of a surgical filament in the extended position and for encircling the filament portion in the retracted position to manipulate the filament within the patient.