A suture pushing apparatus includes an elongated shaft defining proximal and distal ends, and having a suture pushing member adjacent the distal end thereof. The suture pushing member includes first and second retainer members extending in a general longitudinal direction relative to a longitudinal axis defined by the elongated shaft and being disposed in lateral spaced relation with respect to each other for reception of a suture knot therebetween. The first and second retainer members each include a recess for receiving respective suture lengths extending from the suture knot and are dimensioned for retaining the suture lengths within confines of the recesses. First and second passages are defined in the elongated shaft adjacent the respective first and second retainer members and are in communication with an internal longitudinal passageway of the elongated shaft whereby the first and second passages receive suture lengths respectively extend from the first and second retainer members for passage through the longitudinal passageway and toward a surgeon.

Claims data not available