A crossbar lever of a surgical tool has a bridge portion which extends forward and a transverse portion. The bridge portion is retained between the second and third fingers of the surgeons hand, and this retention establishes greater control and stability of the surgical tool. The crossbar lever pivots relative to a handgrip of a handle assembly and a shaft assembly extends from the handle assembly. Tissue contacting or manipulating devices such as jaws are located at the forward end of the shaft assembly. The surgical tool is particularly useful in performing minimally invasive surgical procedures.
