Surgical instruments comprising a handle assembly and interchangeable tools therefor are disclosed. The handle assembly operably supports a drive system therein for generating drive motions upon actuation of a movable handle portion. An elongated body protrudes from the handle assembly and operably supports a control rod therein that interfaces with the drive system. The system further includes at least two surgical tools selected from the group consisting of: manipulators, nippers, scissors, endocutters, tissue thickness measurement devices, staple appliers, clip appliers, syringes for applying glue, sealant, drugs or medicaments and cauterization devices wherein each of the surgical tools at least has a housing that is removably couplable to the elongated body and a drive assembly that is removably couplable to the control rod for receiving the drive motions therefrom.
