Uses of Surgical Instruments Information about the most frequently used surgical instruments is given below: Scalpel: This

is a surgical knife that comes with a sharp stainless steel blades. Whether it is a minor or a major surgery, a correct surgical incision is a must, which is not possible without a scalpel. Each and every surgery has its own specific needs. For instance, a minor surgery will require a small incision whereas a major surgery may demand an incision deep into the skin tissues. So taking this into consideration, scalpels are manufactured in a variety of sizes. The blades of scalpel are detachable and many times this instrument is designed for one time use only. Surgical Staples: Talking about list of surgical instruments and one simply cannot forget to mention about surgical staples. Normally, an incision made or an open wound that occurs during surgery cannot be left open as it can trigger internal bleeding. A common practice is to seal these cuts using stitches but nowadays surgeons to use surgical staples instead of stitches. The main advantage is that the possibility of blood leaking from a wound closed by a surgical staple is minimal. Apart from closing the incision, surgical staples are also useful to reattach and remove portions of certain organs. For instance, a bowel surgery may demand cutting certain parts of the intestine and reconnecting the remaining portion of the intestine. This can be effectively and precisely done using surgical staples. Needle Holders: As we all know, stitching the body tissues that are cut at the time of surgery is a very important task. Even a slight mistake while sewing the tissue is likely to make the patient uncomfortable days after completing the surgery. An improperly sewn skin tissue can be a cause of great pain and may require another surgery to correct it. To avoid all these complications and to carry out sewing of tissues accurately, surgeons often make use of needle holders. These instruments allow the surgeon to hold the needle firmly while stitching the required tissue. A needle holder that has a shape similar to a scissor, consists of straight, smooth jaws, joints and handles. It comes with a tungsten carbide inserts that are attached at the end of both the jaws. They ensure that the needle does not move while sewing tissues. In simple words, these instruments are designed to provide a strong grip on the needle, thereby substantially reducing the chances of any error during this stage of surgery. Retractors: When an incision is made, it has to be kept open during surgery. This job of keeping the incision wide open is done by retractors. These instruments are used to pull back the tissues so that the surgeon can easily access the operation site and perform the surgery without any hindrance. Sometimes, even the organs have to be held back using retractors, so as to expose the surgical site to the desired level. Retractors are made available in different sizes and shapes. Also, there are different types of retractors and each one is designed to retract a specific organ. For instance, lung retractors may be used to push aside the lungs gently for getting an unobstructed view of the surgical site. Be it a gallbladder surgery or a breast reduction surgery, it cannot be done without retractors. Forceps: Forceps are like kitchen tongs that allow the surgeon to grasp and hold skin tissues firmly. Whether it is holding a part of intestine or clamping the arteries during operation, one can always rely on these forceps. Also, this surgical instrument comes in a range of sizes so that the surgeon can choose one depending upon his specific needs. Forceps that are designed to hold a baby's head are quite large and their main purpose is to safely remove the baby from the birth canal during a cesarean. Scissors: As the name suggests, this surgical instrument is mainly used to cut body tissues. Scissors used in surgery come in two main types: Mayo and Metzenbaum scissors. When it comes to cutting or dissecting soft delicate tissues, surgeons prefer the metzenbaum scissors. The Mayo scissors are used for cutting hard tissues such as joints. Thick tissues located in the breast and the

muscles can also be cut using Mayo scissors. Usually, these scissors are made up of stainless steel and are manufactured in variable lengths.

List of instruments used in general surgery [edit]

Instrument class Image Uses Specific instruments

Articulator

Galotti articulator

Bone chisel

Cottle cartilage crusher

Bone cutter

Bone distractor

Ilizarov apparatus

Intramedullary kinetic bone distractor Bone drill Bone extender Bone file Bone lever Bone mallet Bone rasp Bone saw Bone skid Bone splint Bone button

Instrument class Caliper Cannula

Image

Uses

Specific instruments Castroviejo caliper

Catheter Cautery

Clamps

Payr pylorus clamp

Curette Depressor

Dilator

Dissecting knife Distractor

Dermatome

Forceps Forceps, Dissecting Adson

Instrument class

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Forceps, Tissue

Allis Babcock

Forceps (Other) Acanthulus or Acanthabolos Bone forceps Carmalt forceps Cushing forceps Dandy forceps DeBakey forceps Doyen intestinal forceps Epilation forceps Halstead forceps

Sponge Forceps Thorn removal kalabasa

Kelly forceps

Kocher forceps

Mosquito forceps

Hemostat

Hook Nerve hook Obstetrical hook Skin hook Hypodermic needle

Instrument class

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Lancet (scalpel)

Luxator Lythotome Lythotript Mallet Partsch mallet Mouth prop Mouth gag

Mammotome

Needle holder

Castroviejo Crilewood Mayo-Hegar Olsen-Hegar

Occluder Osteotome Epker osteotome

Periosteal elevator

Joseph elevator Molt periosteal elevator Obweg periosteal elevator

Instrument class Septum elevator Tessier periosteal elevator Probe

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Retractor

Senn retractor Gelpi retractor Weitlaner retractor USA-Army/Navy retractor O'Connor-O'Sullivan Deaver Bookwalter Sweetheart[disambiguation needed] Joseph Skin Hook Lahey Retractor Blair (Rollet) Retractor Rigid Rake Flexible Rake Ragnell Retractor Linde-Ragnell Retractor Davis Retractor Volkman Retractor Mathieu Retractor Jackson Tracheal Hook Crile Retractor Meyerding Finger Retractor Little Retractor Love Nerve Retractor Green Retractor Goelet Retractor Cushing Vein Retractor Langenbeck Retractor Richardson Retractor Richardson-Eastmann Retractor Kelly Retractor Parker Retractor

Instrument class Parker-Mott Retractor Roux Retractor Mayo-Collins Retractor Ribbon Retractor Alm Retractor Self Retaining Retractors Weitlaner Retractor Beckman-Weitlaner Retractor Beckman-Eaton Retractor Beckman Retractor Adson Retractor Rib spreader Rongeur Ultrasonic scalpel

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Laser scalpel

Scissors

Iris scissors

Kiene scissors Metzenbaum scissors Mayo scissors Tenotomy scissors Spatula To dissect soft tissue, etc. To cut suture, etc.

Instrument class

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Speculum

Mouth speculum Rectal speculum

Sim's vaginal speculum

Cusco's vaginal speculum

Sponge bowl Sterilization tray Sternal saw Suction tube

Surgical elevator

Surgical hook Surgical knife Surgical mesh

Surgical needle

Surgical snare Surgical sponge

Surgical spoon

Instrument class Surgical stapler Surgical tray

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Suture

Syringe

Tongue depressor

Tonsillotome Tooth extractor

Towel clamp

Towel forceps

Backhaus towel forceps

Lorna towel forceps Tracheotome Tissue expander Subcutaneous inflatable balloon expander

Trephine

Instrument class

Image

Uses

Specific instruments

Trocar

Tweezers