SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS
I. CUTTING AND DISSECTING
~ Cutting and dissecting instruments are sharp and are used to cut body tissue or
surgical supplies.
A. KNIFE HANDLES deep knife 7 handle with Used to cut
15 blade deep, delicate
tissue.
inside 3 handle with Used to cut
knife 10 blade superficial
tissue.
skin knife 4 handle with Used to cut
20 blade skin.
Instruments Functions
B. SCISSORS
Straight Mayo Scissors Used to cut suture and supplies.
Also known as: Suture scissors.
Curved Mayo Scissors
Used to cut heavy tissue (fascia, muscle, uterus,
breast).
Metzenbaum Scissors
Used to cut delicate tissue.
II. CLAMPING and OCCLUDING
~ Clamping and occluding instruments are used to compress blood vessels or hollow
organs for hemostasis or to prevent spillage of contents.
Instruments Functions
Hemostat
Other names: crile, snap or stat.
A hemostat is used to clamp blood vessels or
tag sutures. Its jaws may be straight or
curved.
Hemostat, Mosquito (left to right)
A mosquito is used to clamp small blood
vessels. Its jaws may be straight or curved.
Kelly, Hemostat, Mosquito (left to
right)
Other names: Rochester Pean A Kelly is used to clamp larger vessels and
tissue
Burlisher
Other names: Schnidt tonsil forcep,
Adson forcep. 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.
Right Angle
Other names: Mixter.
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."
Hemoclip applier with hemoclips
A hemoclip applier with hemoclips applies
metal clips onto blood vessels and ducts which
will remain occluded.
Carmalt Clamp
Larger than a kelly clamp and often confused
with the Peon Clamp of the same size; Carmalt
clamps have the characteristic jaw structure
pictured.
Debakey Vascular Clamp
The most standard of vascular clamps, the jaw of
the clamp is designed to clamp veins and arteries
without causing damage.
III. GRASPING and HOLDING
~ Grasping and holding instruments are used to hold tissue, drapes or sponges.
Instruments Functions
Allis
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
Babcock
A Babcock is used to grasp delicate tissue
(intestine, fallopian tube, ovary). Available in
short and long sizes.
Kocher
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.
Foerster Sponge Stick
A Foerster sponge stick is used to grasp
sponges. Other names: sponge forcep.
Dissector
A dissector is used to hold a peanut.
Backhaus towel clip
Backhaus towel clip
A Backhaus towel clip is used to hold towels
and drapes in place. Other name: towel clip.
Pick ups, thumb forceps and tissue
forceps
Pick ups, thumb forceps and tissue
forceps are available in various lengths, with
or without teeth, and smooth or serrated jaws.
Russian tissue forceps
Russian tissue forceps are used to grasp
tissue.
Bonney Forceps
Often used for grasping fascia during the closure
of abdominal surgery or for closure and suturing
of large orthopedic procedures such as total knee
and total hip replacement surgery.
Adson pick ups
Adson pick ups are either smooth: used to
grasp delicate tissue; or with teeth: used to
grasp the skin. Other names: Dura forceps.
Smooth forceps
Long smooth pick-ups are called dressing
forceps. Short smooth pick-ups are used to
grasp delicate tissue.
DeBakey forceps
DeBakey forceps are used to grasp delicate
tissue, particularly in cardiovascular surgery.
Single tooth forceps, many teeth
forceps
(top to bottom)
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."
Short, medium & long
(top to bottom)
Mayo-Hegar needle holders are used to
hold needles when suturing. They may also be
placed in the sewing category.
IV. RETRACTING and EXPOSING INSTRUMENTS
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.
Instruments Functions
Deaver retractor
A Deaver retractor (manual) is used to retract
deep abdominal or chest incisions. Available in
various widths.
Richardson retractor
A Richardson retractor (manual) is used to
retract deep abdominal or chest incisions.
Army Navy retractor
An Army-Navy retractor (manual) is used to
retract shallow or superficial incisions. Other
names: USA, US Army.
Goulet
A goulet (manual) is used to retract shallow or
superficial incisions.
Malleable or ribbon retractor
A malleable or ribbon retractor (manual) is
used to retract deep wounds. May be bent to
various shapes.
Weitlaner retractor
A Weitlaner retractor (self-retaining) is used
to retract shallow incisions.
Gelpi retractor
A Gelpi retractor (self-retaining) is used to
retract shallow incisions.
Balfour
A Balfour with bladder blade (self-retaining)
is used to retract wound edges during deep
abdominal procedures.
Baby Bennette Retractor
Elevating and Retracting Bone. Commonly in the
minor orthopedic instrument set.
V. SUCTIONING
~ Suctioning of blood and other secretions during surgery.
Instruments Functions
Frazier Suction Tip
Suction tip commonly use for orthopedic, neuro
and ENT surgery.
