An implement for manipulating a knotted suture (150) during a surgicalprocedure, includes an elongated shaft (130) having a proximal end engageableby the user for manipulating the instrument, and a distal end engageable withthe knotted suture (150) to be manipulated. The distal end (132) of theelongated shaft (13) has an end face (134) formed with a recess (135) forreceiving the knot (151) of the suture. The distal end (132) of the elongatedshaft (130) is formed with an open slot (133) starting from a location spacedfrom the end face (134) and leading to the recess (135) in the end face, suchas to enable the knotted suture (150) to be introduced into the slot (133) andthe recess (135) by effecting a sidewise movement. The implement furtherincludes a tubular cutter member (120) enclosing the elongated shaft (130) andformed with an annular cutting edge (122) engageable with a suture in the openslot (133) of the shaft (130) upon movement of the elongated shaft (130) withrespect to the tubular cutter member (120), or by vice-versa.
