An endoscopic stitching device, comprising: a handle assembly, including: a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and at least one actuation cable operatively associated with the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts both an axial translation of the actuation cable and a rotation to the actuation cable, wherein each of the axial translation and rotation of the actuation cable performs a separate function; and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly, the end effector including a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations, wherein the actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof; wherein the actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof and characterised in that. the trigger includes a trigger plate defining a first gear segment operatively engageable with a spur gear which is operatively supported on an actuation shaft, wherein actuation of the trigger results in at least a rotation of the spur gear and the actuation shaft, and wherein the actuation shaft is coupled to the actuation cable. a handle assembly, including: a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and at least one actuation cable operatively associated with the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts both an axial translation of the actuation cable and a rotation to the actuation cable, wherein each of the axial translation and rotation of the actuation cable performs a separate function; and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly, the end effector including a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations, wherein the actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof; wherein the actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof and characterised in that. the trigger includes a trigger plate defining a first gear segment operatively engageable with a spur gear which is operatively supported on an actuation shaft, wherein actuation of the trigger results in at least a rotation of the spur gear and the actuation shaft, and wherein the actuation shaft is coupled to the actuation cable. a housing; a trigger operatively supported on the housing; and at least one actuation cable operatively associated with the trigger and extending from the housing in such a manner that an actuation of the trigger imparts both an axial translation of the actuation cable and a rotation to the actuation cable, wherein each of the axial translation and rotation of the actuation cable performs a separate function; and an end effector operatively connected to the handle assembly, the end effector including a tool assembly configured and adapted to perform at least a pair of operations, wherein the actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a first operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the axial translation thereof; wherein the actuation cable is operatively connected to the tool assembly in such a manner that the actuation cable is capable of effecting a second operation of the pair of operations of the end effector upon the rotation thereof and characterised in that.