In a surgical instrument (1), in particular a sliding shaft instrument, with a shaft (2), and with a slide (3) mounted slidably and/or releasably on the shaft (2), wherein the slide (3) is guided with at least one guide element (7,8) in at least one longitudinal groove (10,11) of the shaft (2), the surgical instrument (1) is to have at least one recess in the area of the longitudinal groove (10,11).
