A suturing instrument having a dock at the end for receiving and securing a needle attached to a suture. The suturing instrument includes a cannulated handle attached to the proximal end of a cannulated shaft. The proximal end of a needle is removably received and securely received in the curved needle dock formed on the distal end of the shaft. The suture attached to the needle passes through the shaft and out the proximal end of the handle. Once the instrument is inserted into the body (usually through a cannula), the suture is retracted at the proximal end of the instrument handle, which draws the attached needle into the needle dock. The suture dock preferably has a compound curvature which prevents substantial rotation of the needle upon insertion.
