INSTRUMENT

USAGE

Scissors and Scalpels

Cutting

Hemostats, Forceps, and Clamps

Specula, Scopes, Probes, Retractors, and Dilators

Grasping and Clamping

Dilating and Probing

Disposable Scalpel
Used to cut the skin, sometimes called a surgical knife

Surgical Blades
Most common sizes are #11, #10, and #15
#24 #21 #11 #23 #22 #10 #15 #13

#12

Sharp/Sharp

Blunt/Blunt

Sharp/Blunt

Sharp/Sharp

Sharp/Blunt

Blunt/Blunt

Heavy-duty with narrowed but blunt pointed blades

STRAIGHT

CURVED

Small scissors designed for fine detail

STRAIGHT

CURVED

Hook-shaped point on one blade used to hook under the stitch before cutting STRAIGHT ANGLED

Designed for cutting bandages on patients without cutting the patient

LISTER SCISSORS KNOWLES SCISSORS

Serrations along the entire tips

MOSQUITO

Serrations only along part of the tip

KELLY

Some may have teeth All may be straight or curved

Thumb Forceps
Sometimes called pick-ups Some with teeth are called tissue forceps

Bent for ease in ear and nose procedures

HARTMAN FORCEPS

ALLIGATOR FORCEPS

Sponge Forceps
Used to hold surgical gauze sponges May be straight or curved

Towel Clamp
Used for fixing drapes to the skin of anesthetized patients

Needle Holder
Often called needle drivers Holds needles firmly without crushing

Are used to expose body orifices by widening for better viewing

Vaginal Speculum

Nasal Speculum Anoscope/Proctoscope

Used to hook and retract the edges of a wound for better view WEITLANER RETRACTOR
Self -retaining

VOLKMAN RETRACTOR
Manual

Double-ended metal rods ranging in size used for gradually dilating an opening HEGAR DILATORS PRATT DILATORS