Abstract: A multi-purpose surgical instrument for subcutaneous use is described. The instrument includes a generally hollow inner tube which is provided at a probing free end with a crochet-type hook. The other end, or hand-held end, is fixedly joined to a finger grip. An inner clamping rod is slideably mounted within the hollow tube and can be selectively axially moved between clamping and releasing positions at the hook and be positively locked in the clamping condition thereof. An outside cutting sleeve receives the hollow tube therein and is provided with a rotary cutting edge which is adapted to angularly turn about the axis of the hollow tube to sweep at least a portion of the hook face to thereby cut an object clamped at the hook by the rod.