A needle cartridge for a surgical suturing instrument includes a cartridge body, a track extending through the cartridge body and defining a circular path, an arcuate needle movably positioned within the track, and a suture thread extending from the arcuate needle. A needle driver operatively connects to the cartridge body and the arcuate needle. The needle driver is configured to orbit the arcuate needle along the circular path. A needle cover is secured to the cartridge body such that the needle cover and the cartridge body define a gap, which receives the suture thread therethrough. A retention abutment extends from at least one of the cartridge body or the needle cover into the gap such that the needle cover, the cartridge body, and the retention abutment at least partially define a tortuous path configured to retain the orbiting arcuate needle in the track while the suture thread passes therethrough.
