EXHIBIT 5.1

                                 [LETTERHEAD]


                               February 3, 1999


General Surgical Innovations, Inc.
10460 Bubb Road
Cupertino, California 95014

   REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-8
   ----------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

   We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the "REGISTRATION 
STATEMENT") to be filed by you with the Securities and Exchange Commission 
(the "COMMISSION") on or about February 3, 1999 in connection with the 
registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of a total of 
537,678 shares of your Common Stock (the "SHARES") reserved for issuance 
under the General Surgical Innovations, Inc. 1992 Stock Option Plan (the 
"Plan") and 25,000 shares issuable pursuant to the Written Compensation 
Agreement dated as of April 6, 1998 between the Company and Gregory D. 
Casciaro, (the "Agreement"). As your legal counsel in connection with this 
transaction, we have examined the proceedings taken and are familiar with the 
proceedings proposed to be taken by you in connection with the sale and 
issuance of the Shares under the Plan and the Agreement.

   It is our opinion that, when issued and sold in the manner referred to in 
the Plan and pursuant to the respective agreement which accompanies each 
grant under the Plan, and within the Agreement, the Shares will be legally 
and validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

   We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration 
Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in 
the Registration Statement, including the prospectus constituting a part 
thereof, and in any amendment thereto.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       VENTURE LAW GROUP
                                       A Professional Corporation


                                       /s/ Venture Law Group