Wound closure apparatus and method

A method for suturing a wound formed in tissue of a body wall having a near side and a far side, the method comprising the steps of:

• providing a suture having a first and a second end, and a suture loop extending therebetween;
• inserting an unthreaded first needle and an unthreaded second needle through the tissue;
• inserting the first end and the second end of the suture directly into and through the wound leaving the suture loop on the near side of the body wall;
• manipulating the suture into threading engagement with the needles;
• withdrawing the threaded needles and the associated first and second end of the suture through the tissue;
• tensioning at least one of a first and second ends of the suture on the near side of the wall to draw the suture loop to the far side of the body wall;
• and
• tying the first end to the second end of the suture to close the wound formed in the tissue of the body wall.

A wound closure apparatus for suturing a wound in a tissue wall, comprising:

• a cannula having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
• a handle disposed at the proximal end of the cannula;
• at least one needle disposed in proximity to the distal end of the cannula, the needle being movable between a proximal position and a distal position adjacent to the wound to be closed;
• and
• a suture manipulator carried by the cannula and being insertable directly into and through the wound, the manipulator being operable to manipulate the suture into threading engagement with the needle when the needle is in the distal position.