Method and apparatus for passing suture through tissue

A method for retaining a suture, comprising:

• extending a distal portion of a suture manipulator of a suture passer from a distal portion of a hollow tube of the suture passer, the distal portion of the suture manipulator forming a single arm so that only the single arm extends out of the distal portion of the hollow tube when the suture manipulator is fully extended, the hollow tube comprising a lumen that extends to a distal end of the hollow tube;
• locating a portion of a suture adjacent to a catching portion of the suture manipulator, wherein the catching portion of the suture manipulator extends proximally to a tip;
• and
• retracting the distal portion of the suture manipulator into the hollow tube and pulling the portion of the suture into the hollow tube so that a loop of the suture is located in the lumen of the hollow tube and the portion of the suture is compressed by an inner surface of the hollow tube and a side surface of the catching portion.