What Are Suture Scissors Used For?

Suture scissors are a cutting instrument most often used in health care applications. The scissors consist of two opposing blades, connected by a pivot, which slide over one another.

Function

• Suture scissors are used to cut the thread-like material used to sew animal tissue together.

Types

• The most common suture scissors are the straight Mayo-style, which has straight blades with partially blunted tips. Other forms are serrated blade suture scissors and long oral surgery (buck) scissors, curved scissors and side-angled scissors.

Original Purpose

• Mayo straight-bladed scissors were originally designed for cutting near the surface of a wound.

Word Derivations

• The word suture comes from the Latin sutura, "a sewn seam." In Latin, the verb suere is "to sew, stitch, or tack together." The word scissors is derived from the late Latin word cisorium, "cutting tool."

Alternative Name

• Sutures scissors are also known as stitch scissors.