A surgical instrument adapted and configured for use in minimally invasive surgical procedures includes a shaft, an end effector and a proximal handle. The longitudinal shaft has proximal and distal end portions, and defines a longitudinal axis of the surgical instrument. The distal end effector is connected to the distal end portion of the shaft, and is adapted and configured for performing a surgical task. The proximal handle portion is operably connected to the proximal end portion of the longitudinal shaft and has an actuatable portion operably connected to the end effector to result in movement of the end effector. The distal end portion of the shaft can be laterally offset from the longitudinal axis of the shaft and/or have one or more bends or curves formed therein. The proximal portion of the shaft can include at least one bend to allow for comfortable positioning of a surgeons hands.
