The selection of appropriate surgical instruments depends upon the type of procedure, frequency of usage, and subject size. Keeping these points in mind will help you out to select the right instrument.

Surgical instruments types

Generally, surgical instruments are categorized based on their function. These instruments may be for;

·      Cutting – It covers scissors, scalpels, knives, and surgical blades, etc

·      Grasping – These instruments include tissue forceps and hemostatic forceps etc  

·      Retraction – It includes Weitlaner and Gelpi etc 

Several accessory instruments are also a major part of routine surgical procedures. These include clamps, bulldog clamps, binocular loupes, drills, vessel clips, towel clamps, biopsy punches, etc. 

Instruments for cutting

The most common surgical instruments for cutting purposes are scissors. Different sizes, structures, and lengths are available depending upon the need. 

Types

Vannas scissors – These are delicate scissors with spring and important for neurosurgical and ophthalmic procedures. 

McPherson-Vannas – Used for intricate work like ophthalmological surgeries and have fine blades.

Castroviejo scissors – Major used to cut the delicate tissue without any damage during ophthalmological procedures 

Moreover, scissors having curved tips or fine tips are also having their applications depending on the situation. 

Grasping Instruments

The most common instruments for grasping in different surgical procedures are surgical forceps. They are also of different shapes and structures.

Surgical forceps have two further types, which are specially designed for particular functions.

Ring forceps

These are also known as locking forceps or hemostats because of their exerting traction function or stropping blood flow from the vessel. Here are their types;

Kelly hemostats–- for larger vessels clamping    

Hartman Mosquito—for the clamping of small vessels or suture holding

Rocester-Oschner—heavy with teeth and used for large vessels 

Rochester-Carmalt--- for clamming large tissues and vessels or pedicles ligating

Rochester-Pean--- horizontal serration and for large vessels and tissues holding

Thumb forceps

These forceps have applications in holding, grasping, or manipulating tissue procedures. Types are;

Adson forceps--- have teeth for holding delicate tissues

Bonn forceps--- best for delicate tissue work and tying sutures 

Foerster forceps--- have the octagonal keyhole for better gripping

Iris forceps--- have teeth and applications in ophthalmological procedures

Graefe forceps--- bear 6 to 8 teeth (in a horizontal row) for better grasping 

Retractors

Retractors can hold a tissue or organ and exposed the underneath structures. 

Hand retractors--- must be present in the hand of the surgeon 

Self-restraining --- these retractors allow the surgeon to work freely 

Wire made retractors---- these allow a free hand operation

 

Read more by clicking on the link below:

Guide to surgical instruments