SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS The basic instruments that every beginner

SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS The basic instruments that every beginner surgeon and nurse should know are placed in four categories. 1 -Cutting and Dissecting 2 -Clamping and Occluding 3 -Grasping and Holding 4 -Retracting and Exposing

1. Cutting and Dissecting instruments handle with 15 blade (deep knife) - Used to cut deep, delicate tissue. handle with 10 blade (inside knife) - Used to cut superficial tissue. handle with 20 blade (skin knife) - Used to cut skin.

Type of scissors • All types of scissors can have blunt or sharp blades (A: Sharp, B: Blunt) 1. Sharp scissor • Used to cut and dissect tissue • Both blade tips are sharp • All types can have either straight or curved blades

Straight Mayo scissors Used to cut suture and supplies. Also known as: Suture scissors.

Curved Mayo scissors Used to cut heavy tissue ( muscle, uterus, breast). Available in regular and long sizes.

Metzenbaum scissors Used to cut delicate tissue. Available in regular and long sizes.

2. Clamping and Occluding Instruments Clamping and occluding instruments are used to compress blood vessels or hollow organs for homeostasis or to prevent spillage of contents.

A hemostat is used to clamp blood vessels or tag sutures. Its jaws may be straight or curved. Other names: crile, snap or stat

A mosquito is used to clamp small blood vessels. Its jaws may be straight or curved.

A Kelly is used to clamp larger vessels and tissue. Available in short and long sizes. Other names: Rochester Pean

A burlisher is used to clamp deep blood vessels. Burlishers have two closed finger rings. Burlishers with an open finger ring are called tonsil hemostats. Other names: Schnidt tonsil forcep, Adson forcep

A right angle is used to clamp hard-to-reach vessels and to place sutures behind or around a vessel. A right angle with a suture attached is called a "tie on a passer. " Other names: Mixter

3. Grasping and Holding instruments Grasping and holding instruments are used to hold tissue , drapes or sponges.

An Allis is used to grasp tissue. Available in short and long sizes. A "Judd-Allis" holds intestinal tissue; a "heavy allis" holds breast tissue

A Babcock is used to grasp delicate tissue (intestine, fallopian tube, ovary). Available in short and long size

A Kocher is used to grasp heavy tissue. May also be used as a clamp. The jaws may be straight or curved. Other names: Ochsner.

A Foerster sponge stick A Forester sponge stick is used to grasp sponges. Other names: sponge forceps

A Backhaus towel clip is used to hold towels and drapes in place. Other name: towel clip

Adson pick ups are either smooth: used to grasp delicate tissue; or with teeth: used to grasp the skin. Other names: Dura forceps

De. Bakey forceps are used to grasp delicate tissue, particularly in cardiovascular surgery Thumb forceps are used to grasp tough tissue fascia, breast. Forceps may either have many teeth or a single tooth. Single tooth forceps are also called "rat tooth forceps

1 x 2 Toothed Tissue Forceps Used for grasping and holding tissue, muscle or skin surrounding a wound Single toothed on one side; fits between two teeth on the other side Available as 1 x 2 or 2 x 3 or 3 x 4

Walter Splinter Forceps Very fine tip Spear-head design

Splinter Forceps Fine tip foreign object retrieval

Plain Thumb Forceps Used to hold tissue in place when applying sutures Used to gently move tissues out of the way during exploratory surgery Used to insert packing into or remove objects from deep cavities

Mayo-Hegar needle holders are used to hold needles when suturing. They may also be placed in the sewing category short, medium & long EX: Needle holder with suture

4. Retracting and Exposing Retracting and exposing instruments are used to hold back or retract organs or tissue to gain exposure to the operative site. They are either "self-retaining" stay open on their own or "manual" held by hand. When identifying retractors, look at the blade, not the handle

Army-Navy Retractor Used in narrow incisions with ½” to 1½” of depth (appendectomy, breast biopsy). It is made to retract the edges of the wound and provide optimal visibility for the surgeon. They are used in pairs to provide traction and counter traction. They are held in place during the procedure by the tech or surgical assistant.

Deaver Retractor Common retractor used in major abdominal procedures. Comes in several different widths. May also be used during vaginal procedures.

Green Retractor Used to retract skin and fatty layers of the abdomen or similar surfaces.

Parker Retractor Small narrow retractor used to hold apart the skin and abdominal tissues of small incisions. It is often used in pediatric procedures.

Rake Retractors Used to retract the skin. Could be used in Mastectomy, or orthopedic procedures. They come with two or up to six teeth which could be sharp or blunt.

Vein Retractor This retractor is used to retract veins or similar small quantities of tissue.

Vaginal Speculum Used during gynecological exam or procedure Dilates the opening of the vaginal cavity, allowing for inspection of the vagina and cervix Facilitates access for observation and treatment

Nasal Speculum Used to spread nostrils during examination.

Ear Currette Can have sharp or blunt scraper ends Used to remove ear wax from ear canal