Importance

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Abstract

An instrument comprising a substantially rigid guide tube having opposite open ends which are distal and proximal relative to a person using the instrument. The guide tube has a shank portion and a distal end portion extending generally laterally with respect to the shank portion. A handle is provided on the shank portion of the guide tube generally adjacent the proximal end of the guide tube. A stiff but flexible shaft inside the guide tube has a distal end part movable distally relative to the guide tube to extend through and beyond the open distal end of the guide tube. A suture thread holder is provided on the distal end part of the shaft. The shaft is manually movable relative to the guide tube to move the distal end part of the shaft and the suture thread holder from a retracted position to an extended position along a substantially straight path extending generally laterally at an angle of not substantially less than ninety degrees with respect to the shank portion of the guide tube.

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First Claim