A surgical instrument handle operates a microsurgical instrument on a surgical instrument head by manipulation of the instrument handle. The instrument handle has an elongate center rod with a ring mounted on the rod for reciprocating movement. The ring is operatively associated with the surgical instrument head for operation of the microsurgical instrument of the head. A plurality of resilient arms extend along the length of the rod and engage against a sliding surface of the ring. The inward and outward movement of the plurality of arms reciprocates the ring on the handle rod to cause operation of the surgical instrument head.