The invention relates to a device (10) for holding a surgical instrument (11), which is designed to be introduced through a sheath (12) into the body of a patient (2), and a sheath (12). The holding device according to the invention comprises a first holder (26) for the surgical instrument and a second holder (18) for the sheath. Furthermore, a drive unit (27) is provided by means of which said second holder (18) can be moved relative to said first holder in the longitudinal direction (15) and/or the direction of rotation of the surgical instrument (11).
