a suturing instrument for placing mattress stitches in soft tissue , such as a rotator cuff , includes an elongate shaft with both a stationary jaw and a movable jaw disposed at the distal end thereof . the shaft is coupled to a handle grip at the proximal end , which is configured to manipulate the jaws into open and closed positions . the jaws are configured to allow for a traumatic grasping of soft tissues . the stationary jaw may include a molded tip that holds and positions opposite ends of a single strand of suture material . the serrated upper jaw is configured to grasp and immobilize the tissue to be sutured . hooked needles are movably positioned to pierce the grasped and immobilized tissues , and to engage and retrieve the opposite ends of the single strand of suture material . the handle is released to open the moveable jaw , whereupon the instrument may be withdrawn , trailing the suture , and leaving a mattress stitch in the grasped tissue .