A device (10) for grasping sutures includes an elongate housing (12) and hollow introducer needle (14) attached to a distal end of the housing (12). The introducer needle (14) has an open distal end having a sharpened, tissue penetrating edge (48). A suture grasping element (16) is disposed in the open distal end of the introducer needle (14) is movable at least between first and second positions corresponding to the retracted, and extended positions of the suture grasping element (16), respectively. The suture grasping element (16) may consist of two jaws (50, 52), one jaw (50) having a pod (54) located on a distal end thereof and one jaw (52) being movable between opened and closed positions. In the closed position, the pod (54) contacts a distal portion of the other jaw (52) in a manner sufficient to retain a suture between the jaws (50, 52). In additional embodiment the suture grasping element (74) may also consist of a substantially diamond-shaped wire loop (74) or two wire-like members (92) or a substantially U-shaped hook (116).
