SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

I. CUTTING AND DISSECTING

~ Cutting and dissecting instruments are sharp and are used to cut body tissue or surgical
supplies.
A. KNIFE HANDLE
deep knife
7 handle with
! "lade
Used to cut
deep, delicate
tissue.
in#ide knife $ handle with
% "lade
Used to cut
superficial
tissue.
#kin knife & handle with
'% "lade
Used to cut skin.
In#t()*ent# F)n+ti,n#
-. SCISS.RS
St(ai/ht Ma0, S+i##,(# Used to cut suture and supplies.
Also known as: Suture scissors.
C)(1ed Ma0, S+i##,(#

Used to cut heavy tissue fascia, muscle, uterus,
breast!.
Met2en"a)* S+i##,(#
Used to cut delicate tissue.
II. CLAM3ING and .CCLUDING
~ Clamping and occluding instruments are used to compress blood vessels or hollow
organs for hemostasis or to prevent spillage of contents.
In#t()*ent# F)n+ti,n#
He*,#tat
.the( na*e#4 +(ile5 #nap ,( #tat.
A he*,#tat is used to clamp blood vessels or
tag sutures. "ts #aws may be straight or curved.
He*,#tat5 M,#6)it, 7left t, (i/ht!
A *,#6)it, is used to clamp small blood
vessels. "ts #aws may be straight or curved.
Kell05 He*,#tat5 M,#6)it, 7left t, (i/ht8
.the( na*e#4 R,+he#te( 3ean
A Kell0 is used to clamp larger vessels and
tissue
-)(li#he(
.the( na*e#4 S+hnidt t,n#il f,(+ep5
Ad#,n f,(+ep. A ")(li#he( is used to clamp deep blood vessels.
$urlishers have two closed finger rings.
$urlishers with an open finger ring are called
tonsil hemostats.
Ri/ht An/le
.the( na*e#4 Mi9te(.
A (i/ht an/le 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.&
He*,+lip applie( with he*,+lip#
A he*,+lip applie( with he*,+lip# applies
metal clips onto blood vessels and ducts which
will remain occluded.
Ca(*alt Cla*p
'arger than a kelly clamp and often confused
with the (eon Clamp of the same si)e* Carmalt
clamps have the characteristic #aw structure
pictured.
De"ake0 :a#+)la( Cla*p
+he most standard of vascular clamps, the #aw of
the clamp is designed to clamp veins and
arteries without causing damage.
III. GRAS3ING and H.LDING
~ ,rasping and holding instruments are used to hold tissue, drapes or sponges.
In#t()*ent# F)n+ti,n#
Alli#
An Alli# is used to grasp tissue. Available in
short and long si)es. A &-udd%Allis& holds
intestinal tissue* a &heavy allis& holds breast
tissue
-a"+,+k
A -a"+,+k is used to grasp delicate tissue
intestine, fallopian tube, ovary!. Available in

short and long si)es.
K,+he(

A K,+he( is used to grasp heavy tissue. .ay
also be used as a clamp. +he #aws may be
straight or curved. /ther names: /chsner.
F,e(#te( Sp,n/e Sti+k

A F,e(#te( #p,n/e #ti+k is used to grasp
sponges. /ther names: sponge forcep.
Di##e+t,(
A di##e+t,( is used to hold a peanut. $ackhaus
towel clip
-a+kha)# t,wel +lip

A -a+kha)# t,wel +lip is used to hold towels
and drapes in place. /ther name: towel clip.
3i+k )p#5 th)*" f,(+ep# and ti##)e
f,(+ep#
3i+k )p#5 th)*" f,(+ep# and ti##)e f,(+ep#
are available in various lengths, with or without
teeth, and smooth or serrated #aws.
R)##ian ti##)e f,(+ep#

R)##ian ti##)e f,(+ep# are used to grasp
tissue.
-,nne0 F,(+ep#
/ften 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.
Ad#,n pi+k )p#

Ad#,n pi+k )p# are either smooth: used to
grasp delicate tissue* or with teeth: used to grasp
the skin. /ther names: 0ura forceps.
S*,,th f,(+ep#
'ong smooth pick%ups are called d(e##in/
f,(+ep#. Short smooth pick%ups are used to
grasp delicate tissue.
De-ake0 f,(+ep#

De-ake0 f,(+ep# are used to grasp delicate
tissue, particularly in cardiovascular surgery.
Sin/le t,,th f,(+ep#5 *an0 teeth f,(+ep#
7t,p t, ",tt,*8
Th)*" f,(+ep# are used to grasp tough tissue
fascia, breast!. 1orceps may either have many
teeth or a single tooth. Single tooth forceps are
also called &rat tooth forceps.&
Sh,(t5 *edi)* ; l,n/
7t,p t, ",tt,*8
Ma0,<He/a( needle h,lde(# are used to hold
needles when suturing. +hey may also be
placed in the sewing category.
I:. RETRACTING and E=3.SING INSTRUMENTS
2etracting and e3posing instruments are used to hold back or retract organs or tissue to gain
e3posure to the operative site. +hey are either &self%retaining& stay open on their own! or
&manual& held by hand!. 4hen identifying retractors, look at the blade, not the handle.
In#t()*ent# F)n+ti,n#
Dea1e( (et(a+t,(

A Dea1e( retractor manual! is used to retract
deep abdominal or chest incisions. Available in
various widths.
Ri+ha(d#,n (et(a+t,(
A Ri+ha(d#,n retractor manual! is used to
retract deep abdominal or chest incisions.
A(*0 Na10 (et(a+t,(
An A(*0<Na10 (et(a+t,( manual! is used to
retract shallow or superficial incisions. /ther
names: USA, US Army.
G,)let
A /,)let manual! is used to retract shallow or
superficial incisions.
Mallea"le ,( (i"",n (et(a+t,(
A *allea"le ,( (i"",n retractor manual! is used
to retract deep wounds. .ay be bent to various
shapes.
>eitlane( (et(a+t,(
A >eitlane( retractor self%retaining! is used to
retract shallow incisions.
Gelpi (et(a+t,(
A Gelpi retractor self%retaining! is used to retract
shallow incisions.
-alf,)(
A -alf,)( with "ladde( "lade self%retaining! is
used to retract wound edges during deep
abdominal procedures.
-a"0 -ennette Ret(a+t,(
5levating and 2etracting $one. Commonly in the
minor orthopedic instrument set.
:. SUCTI.NING
~ Suctioning of blood and other secretions during surgery.
In#t()*ent# F)n+ti,n#
F(a2ie( S)+ti,n Tip
Suction tip commonly use for orthopedic, neuro
and 56+ surgery.