An endoscopic surgical instrument having a surgical tool with at least one articulated member, a handle, a hollow elongated shaft connecting the tool and handle and having a hole in the shaft for flushing the shaft, and an actuating rod slidably disposed within the lumen of the shaft connecting the handle and the articulated member such that the handle can also be used to actuate the articulated member. Specifically, an endoscopic surgical instrument and an apparatus for attaching to endoscopic surgical instruments having a removable flush port which is in fluid communication with the lumen of the shaft and a removable collar which is removably affixed on the shaft of the instrument by the flush port such that the flush port simultaneously functions as a flush port and as a means for affixing the collar on the shaft.