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Types of Surgical Equipment

Surgical equipment has a long history, dating back many thousands of years. The Greek Hippocrates, the so-called founder of modern medicine, was also the founder of surgery in around 300BC. Metal surgical instruments made from iron, copper and bronze were in used in ancient Egypt and Greece, while the Romans continued the tradition, making surgical instruments similar to those still in use today.

  1. Scissors

    • There are many different types of scissors used in surgery, from those used to cut bandages and materials like suture scissors, to those used to cut heavy muscle and fascia like mayo scissors. More refined scissors are used to cut delicate skin tissues and these are called Metzenbaum scissors.

    Forceps

    • Forceps are shaped like long tweezers, or like scissors, without the cutting edge. Forceps are used to hold and grab tissue or dressing that is too difficult for the human hand to hold, either because of the location, or because of size. Tissue forceps have either serrated or smooth ends, typically with broad, flared ends for grip, while intestinal forceps are very long and thin. Forceps used to deliver babies have rounded ends, rather like spoons, to fit around the baby's head.

    Retractors

    • Retractors are used to keep incisions open, or to pry tissue away from bone or organs during surgery. Typically, hand-held retractors are shaped like a three-pronged fork that have the tines bent upwards in a curve. Self-retaining retractors are shaped like scissors, with the same fork-like ends to hold tissue apart. Self-retaining retractors have a small mechanism at the top of the instrument that keeps the instruments open. Large retractors, such as deaver retractors, are used to hold the abdominal or chest cavity open, and are hand-held during surgery.

    Scalpels

    • Scalpels are fine-bladed knives used for making incisions, and fine cutting needs. Scalpels are either one molded instrument, or more commonly come as a handle with disposable blades, both for hygiene reasons and for maintaining the sharpness of the blade.

    Clamps

    • Clamps are generally used to hold blood vessels closed, and come in varying sizes, depending on the types of blood vessels they are used for. These clamps to hold blood vessels have thin, pointed ends, like tweezers, or pointed ends that are bent sideways for easier access. Clamps are also used to tie sutures around blood vessels or behind them.

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