Confused in Making the Right Use of Surgical Equipments? Some Basic Tips!

A surgeon depends on his instruments to support his skills, and elevate his expectations. Progress in surgical techniques is continually putting higher demands on instrument design. Over a time surgical instrument industries have witnessed a substantial growth. Many different kinds of surgical instruments have been invented and their classification has been done as per their usage. Tools like Scalpel, Retractor, and Forceps are surgical instruments which are designed for general use in operation, while others are designed for a specific procedure or surgery such as articulators and tracheotome.

Various equipments are being used in hospitals almost daily having similar look with minor differences in their features. These different instruments are provided in a huge range serving specific purpose like retracting, cutting, incising, grasping, occluding, holding, probing, draining, dilating etc.

Below mentioned are few of the most commonly used instruments surgical techs learn how to handle, use and maintain:

Scalpels: Scalpels are small, thin blade or you can say are simply knives used to make incisions. A common scalpel is straight with a convex blade, and a Bistoury scalpel is concave to prevent accidental piercing.

Forceps: Forceps is a hinged instrument which resembles either to a small pair of scissors or a pair of tweezers. They help surgeons in holding tissues and skin firmly. They come in different sizes and shapes.

Hemostat: It is another type of forceps that locks closed, acting as a clamping device. It is designed to temporarily close off blood vessels, controlling bleeding.

Retractor: A hooked instrument used to hold open an incision, or to hold an organ to one side so that the surgeon can work on the tissue behind or below it.

Scissors: There are two main types of scissors one is the mayo scissor which is used for cutting tough tissues like the joints and the other one is metzenbaum scissors used for cutting delicate tissues. They come in different lengths.

Ligature needle: It is a long-handled, slender steel needle having an eye in its curved end, used for passing a ligature unde
eath an artery.

Above mentioned surgical instruments are commonly used tools in the operating room. But if you want to choose the best of surgical equipments, you should consider certain things. Most people think that they only require clamps, scalpels & other general items under this category. However, you also need to consider equipments such as surgical lights, autoclaves & other specialized surgical tools.

Whatever type of surgery is going on in the operation theater; knowing the different basic surgical tools and gadgets benefits the person who will be assisting the surgeon.