A suture passer including a longitudinally-extending hollow cannula having a central passage slidingly receivable of a surgical suture a manually graspable handle connected to the hollow cannula for manipulation thereof, the handle having an upper surface first guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate a distal end of the handle, for releasably, guidingly holding the surgical suture and second guide means, connected to the upper surface of the handle, proximate to the first guide means, for releasably, guidingly holding the surgical suture. The suture passer can be provided in a kit, for use in the suturing of internal tissue, along with a cannula bender, various hollow surgical needles and surgical suture material. The suture passer finds particular use in the suturing of internal tissues which are at least partially accessible through a body cavity, e.g. arthroscopic surgery.
