Surgical Instruments: Scalpels and Scissors

Scalpels

• Scalpels are used for the precise division of tissues with minimal damage to nearby structures.
• Sharp cuts cause less trauma and heal faster in tissues like skin.
• Sharp cuts can cause significant bleeding in tissues like vascular areas.
• Scalpel handles come in two sizes: #3 (often called a small handle) and #4 (often called a large handle).
• Handles are designed to hold scalpel blades.
• Scalpel blades are numbered from #1 to #22, indicating size and shape.
• To apply a blade to the handle, use needle drivers to grasp the blade near the middle, ensuring the sharp edge faces away from you.
• The handle has small grooves that fit with the cut-out portion of the blade, ensuring a flush fit with no raised edges.
• To remove a blade, grip it with forceps or needle holders near the base of the blade, keeping the cutting edge facing away from your hand and body.

Scissors

• Scissors are used for cutting tissue, dissecting tissues, and cutting suture material.
• They must be kept sharp to avoid tearing tissue instead of cutting it.
• Scissors are available in various lengths and should only be used for their intended purpose.
• Scissors are classified by name or purpose.

Operating Scissors

• Operating Scissors are used to cut inanimate objects, such as gauze or suture material.
• They can be classified by the type of blade (straight or curved) and the type of tip.

Mayo Scissors

• Mayo Scissors are used to cut large tissue masses, cartilage, or other non-delicate tissue.
• They can be straight or curved.
• Mayo scissors are always blunt in the middle and round at the end, making them a Blunt Blunt scissor.
• Their blades are thick and approximately ½ the length of the instrument.

Metzenbaum Scissors

• Metzenbaum Scissors are used for delicate surgical dissection.
• They have fine blades that are approximately ¼ the length of the instrument.
• They have a long and thin shaft.
• They are considered a longer, more delicate scissor than Mayo scissors.

Suture Scissors

• Suture Scissors are used to cut and remove suture material.
• They have a notch on one blade that slips under the suture to pull it up.

Bandage Scissors

• Bandage Scissors are specifically used to cut bandage material.
• They have a blunted and rounded bottom jaw that rests on the skin to prevent cutting it.

Iris Scissors

• Iris Scissors are very small scissors with fine blades used for delicate work.
• They can have either straight or blunt blunt blades.

This quiz covers the essential features and uses of scalpels and scissors in surgical procedures. Learn about scalpel handles, blade sizes, and the proper techniques for using these vital instruments. Test your knowledge on how these tools assist in effective and precise tissue division.