29/12/2025
1 Cutting and Dissecting Instruments
These instruments are used to make incisions and separate tissues.
2 Scalpel
Consists of a handle and a disposable, sharp blade (e.g., #10, #11, or #15 blades).
Used for making precise incisions in skin and other tissues.
3 Surgical Scissors
Used for cutting tissue, sutures, or for blunt dissection.
Mayo scissors are heavy-duty and used for cutting tough tissues like fascia or sutures, with straight versions for sutures and curved for tissue.
Metzenbaum scissors are more delicate and used for fine tissue dissection.
4 Grasping and Holding Instruments
These instruments are designed to hold and manipulate tissues, organs, or materials during surgery.
Forceps
Tweezer-like instruments used for grasping tissues or objects.
Adson forceps are toothed and used for handling dense tissue like skin during closure.
DeBakey forceps are non-toothed with fine serrations, designed for atraumatic grasping of delicate tissues like blood vessels.
Babcock forceps have a looped, smooth end to hold delicate structures like the bowel without causing damage.
5 Hemostatic Instruments
These instruments are used to control and stop bleeding by clamping blood vessels.
Hemostats (Artery Forceps)
Clamps with ratcheted, interlocking handles used to compress blood vessels and tag sutures.
Kelly forceps are larger and used for clamping larger vessels, while Mosquito forceps are smaller for fine hemostasis.
6 Towel Clamps
Used to secure surgical drapes or towels to maintain a sterile field.
The Backhaus towel clamp is a common example.
7Retracting and Exposing Instruments
Retractors are essential for holding incisions open and pulling back tissues or organs to provide a clear view and access to the surgical field.
Handheld Retractors
Require manual holding to maintain exposure.
Examples include the Deaver retractor, used for deep abdominal incisions, and the Army-Navy retractor for superficial wounds.
Self-Retaining Retractors
Feature a locking mechanism (ratchet) to hold themselves open, freeing the surgeon's hands.
The Weitlaner retractor and Balfour retractor are common examples.
8 Suturing and Stapling Instruments
These tools and materials are used to bind tissues together after surgery to promote healing.
Needle Holders (Needle Drivers)
Ratcheted instruments used to securely hold the suturing needle.
The Mayo-Hegar needle holder is a common type.
9 Sutures
The thread material (absorbable or non-absorbable) used for stitching tissues together.
Surgical Staplers and Clips
Alternative methods for closing large incisions or ligating vessels quickly and efficiently.
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